Blazing

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)

Sound familiar?  How many families are very divided by politics and anger caused by political discourse often centering around religious and morality issues?  Religion and politics are not separate capsules with one not affecting the other.  Jesus understood that linkage.  Despite wishing that separation, many people cannot help being drawn into heated debates about their political candidates seeming to carry their preferred religious banner.

Ironically, Jesus asked, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”  Think of our Christmas carols about peace on earth.  It’s a good and admirable goal, but impossible to achieve.  Just look at the news from around the world.  

Jesus knew that a fight for justice and against oppression scares many people because it can lead to households being torn apart.  He knew that fight was necessary, so peace was impossible when oppressors attack their opponents.  Rome was the oppressor and punisher.  Death on crosses was one preferred punishment.

Jesus accomplished his objective in his time: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Today it is on fire, but unfortunately with anger, overt racism, and hate, not with understanding, compassion and justice.

Deacon David Pierce