A stained-glass window depicting Christ the King and Lord of the Universe is seen in the Cathedral of St Peter in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo: CNS. The Sunday Gospel
My inspiration this week takes the Second Reading (Hebrews 12:1-4) as a lead in to the Gospel of the day (Luke 12: 49-53). “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection.” I have often taken this sentence as the theme of a retreat.
Facing the complex questions of our time, St John Paul II wrote that we should not be seduced by the naive expectation that we shall find some magic formula. No, we shall not be saved by a formula but by a person.
Steeping oneself in the Gospel
Focusing on the face of Jesus commences with steeping oneself in the Gospels, pondering on his historical life, on how he lived, on the ideals he promoted, on his teaching, his stories and how he behaved. The rosary and Stations of the Cross are popular prayers based on the Gospels. My favourite place for praying the rosary is walking the fields around Rochestown, a rustic setting I must exchange for city life in two week’s time. The rosary is like visiting the Mother of the Lord long after his Ascension. She brings out her treasured albums of photographs, one full of joy, one depicting his Passion, a third about his risen life, and the more recent collection of great moments of light.
The Sacrament was performed by immersion in the baptismal bath and emerging to be clad in a white garment”
The Gospels teach us the historical life of Christ. The letters of St Paul scarcely mention his historical life but he develops a deep theology of how Christians share in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord. Encountering the risen Lord on the road to Damascus transformed his life. “I am Jesus and you are persecuting me”. Two key ideas were revealed to Paul. One, Jesus had conquered death by his resurrection. The second revelation was that in persecuting Christians, he was attacking Jesus himself: “And you are persecuting me.” Pondering on these revelations, Paul developed the theology of Baptism. The Sacrament was performed by immersion in the baptismal bath and emerging to be clad in a white garment. “You have been buried with him by your Baptism; by which, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).
Bringing fire to the earth
As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in today’s Gospel, Luke captures the passionate desire of the Lord to bring fire to the world. “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already.” This fire would be seen at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. In cooking, fire transforms the ingredients. The apostles were transformed by the fire of the Spirit. Our popular prayer to the Holy Spirit is a desire for fire. “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the Faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love.” At Baptism the fire of Christ’s light is symbolised in transferring light from the Easter candle to newly baptised’s candle. “Let your light shine so that all may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”. But, as Pope Francis wrote in The Joy of the Gospel, a person who is not convinced, enthusiastic, certain and in love, will convince nobody. It is a small step from being lukewarm to having the fire extinguished.
The sea of suffering
Before the fire of Pentecost Jesus would have to face his passion and death. He described it as a Baptism he would have to undergo. Remember that when the Gospels were written, Baptism involved immersion under water. Jesus admitted his distress when he foresaw how he would have to plunge into the stormy water of his suffering on the cross. “There is a Baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!”
Divided families
On several occasions Jesus foretold that his followers too would face persecution. The Christians for whom Luke was writing knew how demanding and costly it was to follow Jesus. They were subjected to persecution and martyrdom. Many of them suffered the pains of family rejection. Being a Christian demanded the fire of enthusiasm and courage to take the plunge.
Facing opposition today
At the time when atheistic Communism waged war on religion, a priest from Poland visiting Ireland remarked: “We have the advantage of a visible enemy, while you have the disadvantage of an invisible one”. Mind you, society has changed considerably in the intervening years. There are many instances now where it takes courage to be a Christian … to be seen going to Mass … to protect life in the womb … to speak up for chastity in relationships … to pray in public when the Government is considering banning prayer in certain places while at the same time claiming the right to freedom of choice! Opposition might come from colleagues, peers, friends, even family members.
Let us keep our minds fixed on Jesus. Let him be for us the way, the truth and the life.
Let us return to where we started this reflection …today’s reading from Hebrews. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he withstood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage.”
Remember the night of the apostles on the stormy sea. As long as Peter looked at Jesus, he walked on water, but when he looked instead at the waves, he began to sink. But Jesus stretched out a hand to save him.
Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God come down to save us. As we ponder on the Gospel, reveal yourself to us that we might keep our eyes fixed on you.
Send forth your Spirit to kindle within us the fire of your love.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn’s book, Gospel Prayers and Reflections is available to purchase at Columba Books.