Homily for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 14th August, 2022

 Readings: Jer. 38:4-6.8-10; Ps.40; Heb. 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE WORD OF GOD IS A  FIRE OF TRUTH AND A SWORD OF DIVISION

Reflecting on the ugly situation in our societies today especially the hostility, brutality, persecution and the influential power of the things of this world that we face everyday. We really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of these ugly situations. 

The fact remains that, if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then we need to make a radical decision towards expressing our faith in a personal and radical way. For these days, it is not enough to say am a Christian, we must convincingly and radically practice our faith by following the example of our Lord Jesus who made us to know that the word of God is a fire of truth and a sword of division.

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already. Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law’. 

Here, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life, but he wants us to accept the consequences that comes with the truth of the Gospel teaching which comes as a fire and a sword. This is evident when it comes to living out the Gospel message in a radical way, especially in a situation where our family values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures and possessions, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God. 

So, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and difficult choices as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. This is so because, the Word of God is a fire of truth and a sword of division which purifies and separate us from the ugly situations and sinful things of this passing world that often separate us from God.

However, in the Gospel, Jesus does not endorse we engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for God or against God, to be united with God or be separated, to say yes to God or no to God, to accept the word of truth or to reject it. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to a point of one even losing his life. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that one has. 

And none of us can become his true disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to God over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions. Hence we are advised in our second reading today to throw off everything that hinders us, especially those sins that we clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started, while looking to Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Let us think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners on the cross, so that we will not give up or give in to fears. Because, in the fight against sin, we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood. 

This is what we heard in the life of prophet Jeremiah in our first reading today. For Jeremiah was a man who loved his people and stood for the truth and conversion of his people. He was the conscience and spokes person for the weak in his society. For this reason he was accused of being a troublemaker and lived with constant threats to his life. That is why we heard them saying: Let Jeremiah be put to death: he is unquestionably disheartening the remaining soldiers in the city, and all the people too. So they threw him into a water cistern. Thanks to Ebed-melech who God used to save him.

 

Dear friends, what is your attitude towards the Word of God? How has the Word of God purified your soul from the ugly attitudes for the sinful things of this passing world? Are you passing through the pains of the sword of division? Are you a victim of truth like Jeremiah? Are you in a position like Ebed-melech to save those who are victims of truth. Are you running away from these fire of truth and sword of division? Are you experiencing rejection and hostility in your family, societies, friends and colleagues as a result of the Words of truth?

Today we are called to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully live out our Christian faith and morals. We are called to embrace the sword of division that comes from the truth of the Gospel. We are called to let the fire of God’s word purify our hearts and souls. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of our faith in God? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus? What is that habitual sinful desires and possessions that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow maybe too late.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards you. As we embrace your Word as fire of truth and sword of division, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly sinful desires and attitudes, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are so dear to us. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.