A Great Reset

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Rom 6:19-23; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 12:49-53
Notes: In today’s gospel portion, Jesus reassures us in an unusual way. He has come to perform a Great Reset.

Bound by discontent and disregard – a Great Reset
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 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.”

This division Jesus proposes is not one that diminishes humanity but frees humanity.
The existing binding agents between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law (all of us) are the problem. They/we are not bound in true peace.
Actually, the prophet Micah is saying – the binding agent is already your division. You are bound by discontent and disregard.

For the son belittles his father, the daughter rises up against her mother, The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and your enemies are members of your household (Mi 7:6). Like the prophet Micah, Jesus moves us from prophecies of punishment (division) to confidence in God’s salvation (NABRE commentary interpretation).

Jesus wishes to refactor our relationships in much the same way a physician will break a poorly mended bone fracture. The doctor will ‘reset’ the bone so it can be in right alignment. On a cosmic scale, a moment of pain, an eternity of good.

Jesus states his reset mission in a specific and personal way in today’s gospel portion.
Jesus said to his disciples:

1. I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families (NABRE commentary).
2. There is a baptism with which I must be baptized (his death), and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Jesus’ personal desire is to set the world aflame in love through truth. Jesus’ personal cost is his own baptism of death so committed is his resolve to reset our broken bones.

Let the Great Physician do his work on us!

In our Psalm responsorial today we can see the great reset in a comparative way.

Worldly Binding – a life without the LORD

• The wicked counsel.
• The way of sinners.
• Sitting with the insolent.

Reconfiguration – Blessed are they who hope in the Lord

• Delight.
• Fruitful.
• Never fading.
• Propserous.
• Watched over by the Lord.

First Reading
Brothers and sisters: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Responsorial
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry