10/23/2025 (Thursday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
49 “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!
50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three;
53 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.”

10/23/2025 (Thursday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 12:49-53

The message of Jesus in the Gospel reading above is one of the most challenging in the Gospels. He speaks of bringing fire to the earth and of divisions, even within families, because of Him. At first glance, this may seem contrary to the message of peace that we associate with Jesus. But what He means is not destruction or hatred, it is the fire of transformation, the fire of truth that purifies, challenges, and changes hearts. True peace cannot exist without truth, and truth often disturbs before it heals.

In our modern world, this “fire” represents the presence of God that shakes us out of complacency. Many people desire comfort more than conversion, harmony more than honesty. Yet following Jesus means standing for what is right, even when it leads to misunderstanding or rejection. When someone chooses integrity over corruption, forgiveness over revenge, or faithfulness over convenience, conflict often follows. The fire that Jesus brings is not one that destroys but one that burns away falsehood and hypocrisy so that genuine goodness can emerge.

Imagine a young employee in a company who refuses to participate in dishonest practices, even when pressured by colleagues or superiors. This decision may cost her popularity or even promotion, but she chooses truth because she believes in living by God’s values. Or think of a student who refuses to cheat in an exam despite knowing others will mock him for being “too honest.” These are moments when the “fire” of Christ burns—testing our convictions and revealing what truly matters.

Jesus’ words also reflect the reality that faith can cause division, even among those we love. When a person decides to live according to the Gospel, not everyone will understand. A young man who chooses to serve in the Church instead of pursuing a lucrative career may face resistance from his family. A woman who chooses to forgive someone who hurt her deeply may be criticized by friends who want her to hold on to anger. Sometimes, living for Christ means going against the flow of society and even the expectations of those closest to us.

But these divisions are not meant to tear us apart; they are meant to refine us. Fire purifies gold by removing impurities. In the same way, the fire of Christ purifies our hearts by burning away pride, selfishness, and fear. When we take a stand for love, justice, and truth, we may feel the heat of opposition but we also experience the warmth of God’s presence.

In our times, this fire is needed more than ever. The world is filled with indifference, people afraid to speak out against wrongdoing, afraid to stand up for their faith, afraid to be different. Jesus calls us not to be lukewarm, but passionate; not to blend in, but to shine. To live as a Christian is to carry this divine fire through compassion, courage, and conviction into every corner of life: our homes, our workplaces, our communities.

This fire burns when a parent raises children to value honesty and kindness in a world that glorifies power and wealth. It burns when communities unite to help the poor, when strangers choose to reconcile, and when believers live with hope amid suffering. Every act of faith, every moment of courage, every choice to love instead of hate, these are sparks of Christ’s fire spreading across the earth.

The challenge for us is to keep that fire alive. It is easy to lose zeal, to let our faith grow cold when the world rejects our values. But we must remember that this fire is not ours. It is God’s Spirit working within us. It empowers us to stand firm, to endure, and to bring light where there is darkness.

So when we experience tension, rejection, or discomfort because of our faith, let us not be discouraged. These are signs that the fire of Christ is at work, transforming us and the world around us. Real peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of hearts purified by love and truth. And when that fire burns in us, we become living witnesses that God’s love is powerful enough to change everything, beginning with us.

Go here to read further Gospel reflection.