THURSDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Rom 6: 19-23 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 12: 49-53
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
Those who by the death and resurrection of Christ, have been dead and buried, and risen with him, are justified and are dead to sin, are freed from sin; and therefore, ought not and cannot live in it. They are alive with Christ and live a life of communion with Him which is inconsistent with living in sin. Those who profess to be Christ’s, are justified by his righteousness; they are baptized into his death and risen with him and therefore should account themselves dead unto sin, and so not live in it. Those who are justified and sanctified, are not under the law but under the covenant of grace and can trust in the grace and promise of God.
Being now delivered from the slavery and dominion of sin, we are under a better master, are servants to God; and the fruit of our service is holiness, and everlasting life. Grace and holiness are the gifts of God; Christ gave these to us, and it leads us to eternal life.
In the gospel, Luke focuses our attention on that for which our hearts most long. John the Baptist promised that a more powerful one who was coming after him would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire. This is the fire of God’s judgement, a judgement of love that purifies us so that we can enjoy that communion with God for which we are made and for which we long.
Jesus’ words about division in the family come from the prophet Micah 7:6. Jesus came to bring peace. Has He not told His disciples to offer peace to those to whom their mission takes them? His peace, however comes with a two-edged sword that issues from the mouth of God; the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Even family values are not absolute. Each of us is created by love and for love and our soul is a sacred space that we and others must respect. Even if our families stand against obedience to the call of God, experienced in the sacred depth of our soul, we must say yes to God’s call.
Response: Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
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