Today all three readings speak profoundly about the same thing: following the Lord means that we shall suffer. This is never a popular theme. Often we really prefer that our faith become simply a personal comfort to us in time of need. We are not really at ease with a faith that demands that we speak up in terms of truth and justice and right. Yes, we are not always comfortable with such themes because of the price to be paid. We desire, perhaps sincerely to follow the Lord, but are deeply scared of what it will cost. Can there be any compromise?

Surely, many of us could appreciate if there's a rather more simplified form of Christianity to practice than the one with the cross. However , the fact still remains that Christianity is loyalty. It is not a theory or an ideology, but it is a faith in the person of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God. It is the imitation of His life, teachings and sacrifice on the cross. Our faith is not like a dress that if we don’t like it anymore we give it to somebody or through it away. Faith is a way of life; it is our own identification card that we constantly profess in our lives.

Jeremiah was like Jesus who loves his people and believed that God had sent him to redeem them. Jeremiah believed God sent him to warn his people by speaking out against a particular war or battle. He advocated that the people surrender to the enemy and this infuriated the army leaders. The message was honest but considered harsh and discomforting as we read in the first reading and the people would not take it.

Jesus in today's gospel uses strong words which are difficult to understand and can easily be taken out of context: "I have come to set the earth on fire…Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, but rather division". How possibly could these words come from the mouth of the Prince of Peace? A deeper reflection shows that Jesus wants us to understand that His message is like a fire because it changes, it purifies and refines us. His message calls for a total revolution; calls for total loyalty to Him.

However, we need to understand that the revolution we need today is deeper than merely economic reforms. It must transform people and nations consciences. What we want is a world “where competition, the struggle of individuals one against another, deception, cruelty and massacres no longer have a reason to exist” (H. Marcuse). Instead , whoever follows Jesus sincerely must allow himself to be set on fire and burn brightly in this world. The basic thing asked of Christians is that they be authentic and that alone would be the real revolution we need.

Yes, the Gospel of Christ is that of peace and harmony but that can only be achieved by harkening to the words of the gospel. True peace comes when we follow Christ authentically.

Fr. Julius

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