Where Do We Stand

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 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.” (Luke 12:49-53)

Not everyone was fond of Jesus.  He challenged the status quo of accommodation to Roman oppressors and their Jewish collaborators, especially religious leaders.  He forced families to decide between what was right and just requiring sacrifice and hardship and forces opposed to the Kingdom of God on earth as well as in heaven.  Families were divided; friends were no longer friendly as they feared retribution from those in power and control who wished to keep it that way.

Setting the earth on fire was no small consequence of Jesus creating blazes.  Do we do the same?  Are we afraid of upsetting the status quo and going against conventional wisdom?  Do we feel on fire due to political chasms in the United States and politicians, as well as some bishops, playing the religion card to foster their agendas?  Many of say, “Absolutely!”

A fascinating book, published in 1978 and entitled “Jesus, Politics, and Society: A Study of Luke’s Gospel," was written by Father Richard J. Cassidy.  He concluded that Jesus as Luke portrayed him was dangerous to the Roman Empire.  He said, “Although Jesus consistently rejected the use of violence against persons and was not a zealot, Jesus still posed a threat to Roman rule.”  Cassidy also opined: “Jesus constituted, at least potentially, a serious threat to the Roman Empire because he refused to defer to or cooperate with the various political officials [promoting or supporting domination and exploitation of the poor]. Jesus insisted that social relationships be governed by the themes of service and humility.”

Where so we stand?  Our Earth and our nation already seem blazing with conflict prompted by political wrangling and power-seeking.  Jesus insists we stand up for what is right and just even when that promotes or continues division.  Jesus did not defer to existing political authorities and neither should we when those authorities care not for the common good, but only to retain or regain power.

Deacon David Pierce