The Power of the Word of God

This Sunday’s Gospel is part of Jesus’ teachings to his disciples during his journey to Jerusalem, where death on the cross awaits him. Jesus explains the purpose of his mission through three images: fire, bap􀆟sm, and division.

What is the fire he came to bring to the earth? What baptism must he receive? Why does Jesus say he didn’t come to bring peace, but division? A􀅌er the flood, in the Book of Genesis, God makes a promise: “never again shall all creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” Therefore, the Israelites came to the conviction that, to cleanse the world of iniquity, God would no longer use water, but fire. We must remember that God’s fire is not intended to destroy or torture those who have made mistakes. It is change. God wants to destroy evil and purify us from sin through the fire of His Word and the Holy Spirit. This fire, kindled by Jesus, is His Word that saves, purifies, and heals. It is His Spirit that, on the day of Pentecost, descended like tongues of fire upon the disciples and changed their lives forever. 

The images of baptism and fire are interrelated. To unleash the fire of the Spirit, Jesus says, one must first undergo baptism. This bap􀆟sm refers to Jesus’ immersion in the waters of death. Certainly, Jesus will be overwhelmed by humiliation, suffering, and death, but this will not extinguish the fire of his Word and his love. 

The prophets have presented the Messiah as “the Prince of Peace.” At his birth in Bethlehem, the angels sing “Peace on earth!” But now, Jesus says he has come to bring divisions. We must understand that Jesus was only quoting a passage from the prophet Micah (Micah 7:6) to explain the divisions between the younger and older generations within families. What we must understand is that the Word of Jesus is the fire that seeks to destroy all unjust structures, inhuman situations, discrimination, greed, and the desire for power. 

Many reject Jesus’ word because they feel threatened by this fire. They react violently because the Word of God does not agree with their selfish plans. And this is how divisions and conflicts arise. Today the Lord confronts us with the ques􀆟on: How ardent is our love? How fervent is our faith? Can our faith accept contradiction and ridicule without reducing us to silence?

May the Lord always grant you his peace!

Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM, Pastor
Mission San Luis Rey Parish