Meditation
for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Jer
38:4-6, 8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53)
Think about the persecutions Jeremiah had to face as he
delivered God’s message to the people. He was reminding them the consequences
of their evil behaviour, thereby calling to repentance. Words of discipline
always sound discouraging and threatening to those who do not want to change
their evil ways. The princes conspired against Jeremiah, and convinced the King
that the prophet was against them. King Zedekiah handed him over to those evil
men, and they cast Jeremiah inside a well.
Another man went to the King and condemned the action of
the princes. Zedekiah listened to him, and ordered that Jeremiah should be pulled
out of the cistern. Think about the extra ordinary courage this Ethiopian
servant had that made him to approach the King! There must be an irresistible
fire within, urging him to confront the lies of the princes, and daring him to
face the consequences of challenging the decision of the king.
Such is the fire that Jesus talked about in the gospel,
saying, “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already
kindled.” Yes, God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). He ignites in us that irresistible
urge to break barriers, confront unjust structures and stand for the truth of
the gospel. The word of God is like fire (Jer 23:29). This inner energy moves us
to resist even our most intimate human attachments like father, mother, brother
or sister, whenever they tend to be obstacles to the fulfilment of the will of
God.
Jesus says, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I
am constrained until it is accomplished!” While introducing Jesus, John the Baptism
said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt 3:13). As the Holy
Spirit descended on the apostles in forms of tongues of fire, they were filled
with this irresistible energy that moved them to proclaim the gospel without
fear of opposition (Acts 2:1-4). This is the fire Jesus promised to cast upon
the earth. It is the perfection of the burning bush Moses encountered, where
the fire was blazing but the bush not burnt up (Ex 3:2). This divine fire does
not destroy our individuality and freedom, but it energizes us with a love
stronger than our earthly attachments.
Therefore, the second reading urges us to lay aside every
sin and distraction, “Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross.” From the Cross,
Jesus won for us the strength to overcome every hostility. Love for Jesus must overshadow
our hearts, for it is from His victory that we can overcome. That means this
irresistible fire of the Holy Spirit must first overcome our individual internal
self-imposed obstacles and attachments before we can move ahead to confront
external oppositions. And this requires a total self-surrender to Jesus in love.
And this love is so strong and overpowering that we can face
every opposition and resist every attachment that is not in line with the truth
of the gospel. Meditate on the joy of the Lord in seeing men and women consumed
with the fire of His love. Think about His eagerness to supply and refill that
inner strength to resist every hostility beginning with our own human desires.
He is already consumed with love for us and for His Father’s house (Jn 2:18). So,
we humble ourselves and allow the love of Jesus to urge us on (2 Cor 5:14). Hence,
we continue to stand for the truth of the gospel, resisting and overcoming
every obstacle. “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the
point of shedding your blood.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday August 14th, 2022
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