Luke 12:49-56
49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Fire to the earth
We remember how the prophet Isaiah describes the expected Messiah, "For unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6.
Didn't Jesus appear to the disciples after His Resurrection, identifying Himself with true peace, saying to them, "The Peace is with you" John 20:19 (Syriac Aramaic Peshitta version)? The Messiah will bring reconciliation and peace on earth; He will make all nations one (Ephesians 2:14).
Being so, how can we understand Jesus saying, "Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" (v. 51)?
The aim of Jesus' incarnation is to restore God's image in human nature. This is accomplished by His crucifixion, His death and His Resurrection.
The whole mystery of salvation was given to humans through Baptism. Baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit as powerful purification and consecration to become a model of life in Christ and a witness to His presence among us.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is described as "Tongues of fire and wind," fire of purification, recreation and reformation that includes wind to spread the efficiency of this purification as wide as possible.
Those who accept this fire and remain committed to its vows keep the fire ignited and try their best to spread it all around. Faithful to Christ they enjoy internal peace even if they face difficulties and persecutions.
Those who refuse Jesus' fire given through His Baptism might know external peace but not true peace. St. Paul refers to "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:7.
This is the fire Jesus speaks of, fire of restoration, fire of purification, fire of reconciliation with God, with the neighbor and with the environment.
It's a fire that creates an internal, positive energy of love and ends up generating a permanent, real peace. May this fire remain ignited in the hearts and minds of those who reciprocate our Lord Jesus' real love.
Amen.