John Desing csc –
Readings: Jer 38: 4-6, 8-10; Heb 12: 1-4; Lk 12: 49-53
The word of God challenges all aspects of our lives. Today, the readings invite us to be prepared to face any setbacks, rejection, and humiliation when we place Jesus as the first priority in our
lives. Perhaps one of the main reasons why many of us are not radical or committed enough in following Jesus is because we are afraid of practicing what the word of God tells us to.
Accepting the ways of Christ would demand from us losing some friends, quitting some parties, stepping into the unknown, daring to stand alone and to wake up from our slumber of falsehood.
Sometimes we may have to confront the evil ways of our own family members. Jesus challenges us to have the courage to care-front all sorts of vices and evil forces. We are called not only to solve conflicts but to speak out what is necessary just as the prophets and saints did.
They risked their lives so that many people will experience real life, they forgo their temporal joy so that many will experience everlasting joy. St Paul encourages us to learn from Jesus who
endured all sorts of hostile situations and to trust in the power of God in our struggle to resist evils. Therefore, our prayer should never be for a miracle to happen but for the strength to withstand challenges that we face daily.