Jer 38:4-6, 8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53
Sometimes Jesus would use strong words in order to drive home an important point. In today’s gospel from Luke, for example, he says: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” In order to understand properly this passage, we will consider its parallel in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus says: “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Undoubtedly, the word “sword” is not used by Jesus to imply bloodshed. The Lord is not a violent man and bloodshed is the last thing he wants for his people. Bible exegetes would rather suggest that “sword” is used to refer to the Word or the message that Jesus brings to the world. As the book of Hebrews says, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (4:12). The Word of God is sharp enough to divide truth from falsity, right from wrong and good people from evil ones.
In his ministry, Jesus did not say what people wanted to hear; rather, he confronted his listeners with what was right and true. Individuals reacted to his Word differently which caused a deep divide in communities and even in families: “The father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter . . .” There were some who received his message and followed him; but many others rejected his Word and sought to get rid of him.
Jesus’ uncompromising attitude towards the truth should inspire us to reexamine our values today. Are we promoting the message of the kingdom in words and actions? Are we not surrendering moral principles to please superiors or friends? Do we have the courage to tell people about their evil ways and practices? Are we willing to suffer rejection and oppression for the sake of justice and truth?
The Lord was never tolerant of evil. He reached out to the sinner in love, but he hated sin. When a woman was found in adultery, Jesus did not say, “Your lifestyle is fine”; rather, he said, “Go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11). In his teachings Jesus also insisted on a high standard of morality. In fact, he challenged his disciples to “be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.”
The gospel calls us to act, to do something and to commit ourselves for the values of the Kingdom. Where many today teach tolerance of every conceivable kind of behavior, we, like Jesus, must draw a sharp dividing line between good and immoral actions. When we do this, we must not be surprised to find ourselves in conflict with other people in the community, with others in our family, and even in conflict with ourselves.
The famous philosopher Diogenes was once sitting by the roadside, eating a bowl of gruel. One of his rich boyhood friends rode up on a white horse and wearing expensive clothes. He said, “Diogenes, if only you would learn to flatter the king, you would not have to eat that gruel.” Diogenes said, “Oh but you have it all wrong. If only you would learn to eat this gruel, you would not have to flatter the king.” The question is, “What is really important to us?”
(The story is from an unknown author)
Sometimes Jesus would use strong words in order to drive home an important point. In today’s gospel from Luke, for example, he says: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” In order to understand properly this passage, we will consider its parallel in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus says: “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Undoubtedly, the word “sword” is not used by Jesus to imply bloodshed. The Lord is not a violent man and bloodshed is the last thing he wants for his people. Bible exegetes would rather suggest that “sword” is used to refer to the Word or the message that Jesus brings to the world. As the book of Hebrews says, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (4:12). The Word of God is sharp enough to divide truth from falsity, right from wrong and good people from evil ones.
In his ministry, Jesus did not say what people wanted to hear; rather, he confronted his listeners with what was right and true. Individuals reacted to his Word differently which caused a deep divide in communities and even in families: “The father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter . . .” There were some who received his message and followed him; but many others rejected his Word and sought to get rid of him.
Jesus’ uncompromising attitude towards the truth should inspire us to reexamine our values today. Are we promoting the message of the kingdom in words and actions? Are we not surrendering moral principles to please superiors or friends? Do we have the courage to tell people about their evil ways and practices? Are we willing to suffer rejection and oppression for the sake of justice and truth?
The Lord was never tolerant of evil. He reached out to the sinner in love, but he hated sin. When a woman was found in adultery, Jesus did not say, “Your lifestyle is fine”; rather, he said, “Go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11). In his teachings Jesus also insisted on a high standard of morality. In fact, he challenged his disciples to “be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.”
The gospel calls us to act, to do something and to commit ourselves for the values of the Kingdom. Where many today teach tolerance of every conceivable kind of behavior, we, like Jesus, must draw a sharp dividing line between good and immoral actions. When we do this, we must not be surprised to find ourselves in conflict with other people in the community, with others in our family, and even in conflict with ourselves.
The famous philosopher Diogenes was once sitting by the roadside, eating a bowl of gruel. One of his rich boyhood friends rode up on a white horse and wearing expensive clothes. He said, “Diogenes, if only you would learn to flatter the king, you would not have to eat that gruel.” Diogenes said, “Oh but you have it all wrong. If only you would learn to eat this gruel, you would not have to flatter the king.” The question is, “What is really important to us?”
(The story is from an unknown author)
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