Homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Azam Vianney Mansha, CJM - STL
I believe today’s Gospel reading is one of the most shocking statements of Jesus. Often, we hear that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and so what does it mean when Jesus speaks about fire and division? Is there any significance or meaning behind His words?
In order to see the theological meaning of Jesus saying, “I have come to set fire on earth,” we need to see this passage in the light of the Old Testament. “To set on fire” and “on fire” are biblical expressions which mean “to purify the intention of a person who has been chosen by the Lord.” It can also mean that a person has the zeal to work for the Lord. As examples, we have Phinehas (Num 25:10-11), King David (1 Sam 13:14; 1 Kings 3:6), Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:10-14), Prophet Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1-7), and Josiah (2 Kings 22-23). In the New Testament, we have Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Apostles of Jesus, Paul, and the early Christians who carried the Gospel of the Lord till the end of the world. No doubt, these Biblical characters who were chosen by the Lord were “on fire.” In other words, they were “set on fire” by the Lord to lead the community towards the Lord.
Now when Jesus says, “I have come to set fire on earth,” He clearly indicates that His mission is to create division or to choose people who are going to create division through their words and deeds. Jesus says, “When someone strikes your right cheek, turn to them and strike the other also” (Luke 6:26), whereas the world says, “Punch that person!” Jesus says, “If someone takes you one mile, you go with them an extra mile,” whereas the world says, “I do not have the time to do anything extra.” Jesus says, “If someone wants to take your shirt, give him the coat as well,” whereas the world says, “Do not give anything, but take everything from him.” Indeed, Jesus came to create division on earth with fire and this fire is given to us in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Jesus’ aim for fire is for us to reject our comfort zones and become missionaries of mercy.
In 2019, when Covid hit the whole world, the Philippines was badly affected. I was newly appointed to the Holy Family Retreat House in Taytay, Rizal. The retreat house is surrounded by five depressed areas. Most of the people there lived a hand to mouth existence and during Covid-19, things got even worse for them. Many of them lost their daily jobs. Often, their families would come to the retreat house to seek for food and help. My resources, however, were limited. I wanted to help the families but how? I did not know. To immediately help 150 families, I sold all the gifts which I received from my siblings and friends for my ordination to the Priesthood. I need to confess that I sold all my things except for one gold ring which is actually a combination of the wedding rings of my father and mother. With all that, there was still so much more to do and I was ready to do it but there were no means of doing so!!!
God, who is so merciful to me, brought Jack and Lolly, a catholic couple, into my life. I was conducting this Bible Study which was initially organized by Lolly for her Book Club. Later on, this group was extended and it became internationally known as “Turning Bible Pages with the Eudists.” Lolly is blessed with the gift of a generous heart to raise funds and organize charity projects, whereas Jack is blessed with the gifts of being hard-working and communicating well. When I shared with them my pain and heart’s desire, they immediately said, “YES!” to join this noble cause. That is how the Eudist Community Pantry (Eudist Food Bank) came into existence.
They were on fire with the Lord. They went out of their way to help. Indeed, the Eudist Bible group contributed much to the Eudist Community Pantry, anonymously donating 1000 pounds of rice, 100 pounds of vegetables, 30 trays of eggs, powdered milk for children, canned goods, dry fish, chicken and other goods. One generous lady even donated a new refrigerator so that we could store goods for a whole week. Indeed, through the generosity of friends, initiated by Lolly and Jack, the Eudist Community Pantry was able to serve 150 families every other week, providing them with food packs which were good for six to eight days. In addition to this, generous friends started also helping me in buying medicines for tricycle drivers and jobless people.
The Bible group was so zealous, filled with Jesus’ fire, that some started celebrating their birthdays or some other occasion of their family members in the retreat house by feeding the 150 needy families. In short, there was division! While the whole city was in lockdown or in mourning or did not know what to do, Lolly, Jack and the Eudist Bible group were on fire! They took the risk to go beyond the border with me in order to be of service to other people. They did not care about themselves, but instead, they went out of their comfort zones with the fire of Jesus to bring the merciful face of the Father through their acts of mercy. The Eudist Community Pantry served the wounded humanity for almost 2 years.
Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus has come to set fire on earth, and He does not appreciate our lukewarm attitude. He is inviting us to get out of our comfort zone “to meet Jesus on the road” (Pope Francis). He is setting us on fire and calling us “to be a missionary of mercy” (St. John Eudes) so that whatever we do or wherever we go, we carry the fire of Jesus in us to create division, that is, to serve the wounded humanity without any border.
May Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother, intercede for us so that we can carry the fire of Jesus in order to create division between the Kingdom of God and the world by getting out of our comfort zones and carrying out acts of mercy.
