The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102617.cfm)
reminds me that God brings division from those who do not believe in
Him.
Jesus is the price of peace,
but the gospel seems to contradict that at first glance. But looking at it
closely, it is not an intentional division, but rather, he reminds us that he
comes to divide those who are following him from those who are not.
In the
first reading, we see that the wages of sin is death. If we constantly
sin, we are telling God we want death over life with him. This is why God wants
to separate us, his followers, from those who do not follow him. This is why he
brings division.
Family
is very important, especially to us Filipinos. Through thick and thin, family
stays together. A family should be one, with no issues and division. However,
we are reminded in today’s gospel that nothing
should come in between us and God. Nothing and no one. A division
may occur, among friends, among those we love, and even among family members,
as we try to follow God. However, we are reminded that we should not
let attachment come in between our faith, and nothing should separate us from God.
God’s ways are not always easy,
but it always worth it. May we be encouraged to stand firm, and avoid division
by doing our best to bring our loved ones to Christ as well.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to
experience you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am not
strong in faith. Sorry for wavering and for choosing others over you. Lord, I
pray for strength to stand firm, to stand for you no matter what happens. Help me
be brave and live and defend my faith and love for you. I ask that you help me
to also spread your love to others. May I also bring others, especially those
whom I love, closer to you. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
see
related reflection:
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 476
Reading 1ROM 6:19-23
Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature.
For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity
and to lawlessness for lawlessness,
so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
But what profit did you get then
from the things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death.
But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,
and its end is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature.
For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity
and to lawlessness for lawlessness,
so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
But what profit did you get then
from the things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death.
But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,
and its end is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
R. (Ps 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
AlleluiaPHIL 3:8-9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 12:49-53
"I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
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