Divine Division: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sermon by Emmanuel Suntheni OSB – Twentieth Sunday In Ordinary Time
Sermon And Christian Act In The Word
Theme: Divine Division – I have come to bring fire! Bring Peace not division!
Point of Reflection: What message do I bring to the people I meet every day? A message of peace or hatred? Today’s Scripture readings show that adherence to God often brings divisions. Jeremiah’s message was divisive because of his firm opposition to armed rebellion and his advocacy for the return to God through repentance and moral reforms as the way to survival.
The author of Hebrews insisted that Christians must be separated from the world by their adherence to the Christian faith and moral norms. Jesus’ presence brought divisions that often ran through the very heart of the family and society. Thus, the divisions caused by God’s messengers and adherents had salvific potential because they called for reflection on, and re-examination of, life, in hope that, in the words of the Psalmist, “many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10
Psalm: Psalm 40:2–4, 18
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1–4
Gospel: Luke 12:49–53
Sermon (Reflection): The message of today’s liturgy is challenging and difficult. We are used to thinking about Christianity as a religion of peace. This is certainly true. However, it must be acknowledged that, in its two-thousand-year-long history, this faith has brought numerous divisions into the world.
The gospel passage of today cites the troubling words of Jesus who speaks of himself as a bringer of fire and division, not of peace. The fire symbolises judgment upon those who reject God by rejecting Jesus as the Messiah and God’s Son.
The baptism which Jesus is to undergo is his own death on the cross (cf. Mark 10:38-39).
Finally, Jesus’ presence divides families depending on whether their members accept or reject Jesus as the Messiah.
For the early Christians, the division on account of adherence to Jesus was a daily experience.
Becoming a Christian often meant exclusion from the family, and expulsion from a particular religious and social group. Yes, Jesus did come to bring peace to earth, however, his message and his presence are intrinsically divisive, a division depending on whether there is acceptance or rejection of Jesus and his message.
Those who choose God will experience peace and blessing, those who reject God will face judgement. What have we chosen?
As Christians, we must choose God by living and showing good actions as opposing to the evils of this world like corruption.
In the first reading Jeremiah opposed to various political groups emerged putting pressure on the king to rebel against Babylon and seek independence. He was keenly aware that Zedekiah, the Israelite leadership and the majority of the people were not holding on to God’s covenant by obeying its laws. The prophet was also keenly aware that Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, would mercilessly and cruelly punish all who opposed his authority. These factors combined would inevitably lead to the destruction of Jerusalem. Sadly, the prophet was right.
Jeremiah advocated the surrender because he knew that God would not protect the city and the people who had abandoned God and did not live by God’s covenant. He knew that the nation needed a deep religious and moral restoration before any dream of political independence could be pursued. Jeremiah’s message was deeply divisive because he spoke an unpopular truth which his opponents saw as betrayal of the nation and of God. Ironically, it was God’s voice showing them the way to survive the Babylonian aggression which their own misguided beliefs and practices had brought upon the nation. The division Jeremiah created had salvific potential. Sadly, nobody in authority listened to him. We can ask ourselves today if our governments listen to the religious leaders.
Just in the course of last week, the Southern African Catholic Bishops issued a statement economic current affairs of South Africa, how many will listen?
This must start with us as Christians, to listen to the Word of God and live a just life which is a holy life. We need to adhere to our faith.
The Letter to the Hebrews which is our second reading gives us motivating examples of uncompromising adherence to faith. First, in Hebrews 11:1-40, the author recalls a great number of the heroes of faith from the Old Testament who persevered in their faith while facing overwhelming challenges and even death. These ancient heroes are called “a great cloud of witnesses” who, like spectators in an athletic contest, are now watching the Christians who face similar struggles. Like ancient athletes who competed naked, Christians are admonished to strip themselves of every moral depravity and sin which burden them. Thus prepared, they are called to run a race which is like a contest to persevere in the faith. The whole scene presents Christians as contestants engaged in a great competition with the power of sin, which seeks to overtake them.
The second example is Jesus, who was engaged in a contest of his own. By embracing the cross as the means to redeem humankind, and by offering the ultimate sacrifice of his own life, Jesus won a decisive victory over sin and death. However, he first had to endure the “shame” of public execution, enduring the hostility and humiliation inflicted upon him by his opponents. By remaining faithful, and committed to his mission and purpose, Jesus prevailed in this contest. For this reason, the author of Hebrews calls him the pioneer and perfecter of the faith.
Imitating him, as Christians, we are asked to face hostility from sinners, courageously and with determination, even to the point of shedding their blood. We need to stand firm in our faith.
Christian Act in Word of God “Bring Peace not division”
When speaking about divisions we must carefully distinguish between the damaging divisions caused by human malice in various forms, and those division which emerge as a result of standing up for what is right and true. Divisions which Christianity and its adherents bring into the world should always be of the second kind.
We all know of individuals and leaders in the community who bring division because of their selfish ambitions and vices. They divide communities by claiming allegiance of the members, and then manipulate them to serve their purposes. This is an example of the divisions which must be eradicated from Christian communities, because when such divisions occur the community is doomed to internal destruction. Today we are talking about corruption in our countries.
Why do we have corrupt politicians, corrupt civil servants, corrupt private sectors and you can name it all! Why? It’s simply because of selfish mind and ideas. These corrupt practices bring divisions in our societies and countries.
All Christians are called to be a divisive presence in the world, but not by bringing conflict, but by the counter-cultural example of their lives. In today’s world with its lack of moral norms and guidelines, a world where everything is permissible, Christians need to demonstrate a well-focused and clear moral life in the face of laxity and dissolution. Standing up and refusing to partake in corruption, abuse of resources, manipulation and many other practices that go against the teaching of Jesus is a way of standing up against “the sin of world”. This will surely create divisions around such persons as some will admire them and some will respond with ridicule and harassment.
However, the divisions caused by a positive example always carry a salvific potential because of their influence that could be life-changing.
Jesus did bring divisions into the world. His adherents and followers were often singled out for persecution because of their faith and life, as happens to this day. Yet, the divisions Jesus brought were not based on the abuse of power but rather on a peaceful but powerful testimony to the truth about God and the right way to live. As his disciples, we are called to oppose the society so often divided by greed and the struggle for power. We need love and peace in our societies.
Action: I will bring peace and love not divisions in my family and society I live.
Prayer: Lord God, today you have reminded us of your unconditional love for peace on earth. Help us to advocate for peace all time and give us the heart to listen to the Word of God so that we may live in true peace and love. Even if we should become signs which are opposed, give us wisdom to ensure that what we do and say ultimately brings your salvation and peace closer to this world, Amen.
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