Homily for the 20th Sunday in the Ordinary Time Year C. August 14, 2022.
Sunday Readings
“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire!”-St. Catherine of Siena
My Dearest Friends in Christ,
The readings of this 20th Sunday remind us that in our call to follow Christ, we must be ready to face division and opposition with unwavering faith. The Gospel message of peace certainly breeds division because not all are willing to embrace it. When we follow Christ on the path of peace and righteousness, we must surely set the world on fire.
There was a beautiful lady who used to flirt around with men and indulges in all sorts of immoral acts. She had many ‘friends’ who loved to hang out with her and buy her expensive gifts. It happened that one day after attending Mass and Adoration in her community church she was deeply touched and transformed through the preaching of the Gospel. She became a radically new creature. Because of her newly found life with Jesus, her old friends started disassociating with her since she no longer would yield to their immoral requests. She was abused, ridiculed, and avoided. Eventually, she lost all her ‘friends’. She never found it easy losing her ‘friends’ and their support but continued to embrace Christ in her newfound love. Whoever decides to follow Christ causes division with the ungodly. The devil and his agents want to offer you a peace that tells you, you have done nothing wrong even when you live in sin. Jesus on the other hands constantly reprimands us for our sins in other to draws us to perfection and enduring peace. “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other…” Division is inevitable if we don’t want peace at a compromise.
Jesus’ words mean discipleship compels hard choices. Many lose the support of their family and friends because of their closeness and commitment to God. Many are having serious misunderstandings in their relationship or marriage because of the devotion of one party to God. I remember the story of a generous lady who told me how her husband doesn’t allow her to make any donation to the Church. She wept bitterly. She told me, in confidence, that she was giving this donation but getting ready for war at home.
You might have experienced a situation of being abused, persecuted, or deprived of your right because of your devotion to God and refusal to yield to immoral or devilish practices or for having condemned something very wrong. Jeremiah in the first reading was condemned and thrown into a pit because he condemned the atrocities and sins of his generation; this was their reason for unjustly condemning him to die. Rather than look inwardly and change their lives, the people of Isreal saw Jeremiah as their problem. There will never be peace on earth when the righteous condemn evil and reprimand evildoers. There will be a strong division between those who believe in Christ and those who do not. Whenever you stand out from the rest because of Christ, get ready for persecution. My dearest, Christ is telling us today not to give up on our choice to follow Him. This will surely not be an easy choice, but He will never abandon us.
Certainly, Jesus came to bring peace but it will never be a superficial peace. It will never mean everyone agreeing. It will never make every follower likable and appreciated by everyone else. It will never mean a life filled with nothing but harmony as if there would be no anger, no division, no uncertainty nor struggles. Those who go Jesus’ way travel a road with trouble and trial, sacrifice,sorrow and sometimes darkness. Yes, there will be joy and glory and life eternal. That will be in , but also here and now. The here and now is not only happiness but hardship, not only unity but division. The road ahead is good but not an easy road to travel.
Jesus said He came to bring division, not peace (v. 51). At a very deep level, there is peace. In eternity, there is peace. Yet until then, following Jesus will also cause division. Many who first heard Jesus speak these words were shocked; likewise many of us hear these words and are jolted. The Jewish presumed that the Messiah would come to restore peace in Israel by waging war against Israel’s enemies. Surely God’s Anointed would bring victory for Israel and usher in a new age of peace and prosperity? Jesus did not conform to their misguided expectations and could not be more direct about the cost of following Him.
Jesus’ message was hard yet honest. No one who hears and considers His Words could ever feel misled about the cost of discipleship. At the same time , no one who hears and considers His Words could ever doubt that there is no other choice to make than surrendering to Him as Lord.
Today is another opportunity for us to decide whether to compromise our Faith to make someone happy or to be faithful to God even if someone or some people are unhappy. With St. Paul’s words in the second reading let us persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Leader and Perfector of faith.
I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)
