29th Week in the Ordinary Time - Thursday (Year II)
20th October 2022 (Thursday)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are on the Thursday of 29th week in the ordinary time. Today we are reflecting on the theme Be on fire!
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For more certainty the Readings are posted from the Latest Catholic Lectionary{alertInfo}
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Brethren: I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 (R. 5b)
Response: The Lord's merciful love fills the earth.
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.Response
For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth.Response
The designs of the Lord stand forever,
the plans of his heart from age to age.
Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,
Yes, the Lord's eyes are on those who fear him,
who hope in his merciful love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.Response
Gospel : Luke 12:49-53
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertSuccess}
Main Theme: Be on fire!
Indicative: A true follower of Christ must be a “man on fire.” With this fire, he must set ablaze the whole world{alertWarning}
1. “I came to cast fire on the earth.” ‘I came to bring division and disrupt peace'. What is this fire? It is love for God. It is to be ever consumed with a burning passion. It is being rooted and grounded in love. It is to comprehend and live the fullness of love, and that is the breadth, length, height, and depth.
2. Now, this fire of love on one hand dispels false layers of unity and peace. For many unity is mostly narrow demarcations based on religion, region, caste, culture, rite, et cetera. Social justice is confined only to promoting self-interests or group interests. Accordingly, we see people actively living and promoting division and disunity. What a contradiction and absurdity it is! We who are supposed to be promoters of unity become ruthless champions of disunity.
3. Further, peace is often equated with the absence of fear, tension, and demands. What many seek and enjoy is only a false peace. False peace is highly contrary to God’s grace. False peace avoids any risk, any trouble, and looks for what is convenient and self-profiting.
4. But Jesus assures and ensures real unity and peace. Real unity is nurturing oneness and the communion of a spiritual family that is bound by the only norm of “hearing and doing God’s will (cf. Mt 12. 46-50). And his peace is an interior godly peace that stands firm amidst all evil.
5. In this sense, commitment to Jesus will certainly trigger disagreement and difference, leading to division, conflict, disruption of convenience, and peace.
Imperative: Commitment to God and His kingdom of values and relationships is a fundamental choice. We should be prepared to face the challenges and stand firm{alertWarning}
Video Reflection
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