20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

Jesus said: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” At our baptism, we are told to “Keep the Flame of Faith alive in our hearts, so that when the Lord comes, may we go out to meet with him, with all the angels and saints.” We are responsible for our own faith. We are responsible to cultivate our faith? Is our flame of faith blazing hot? Or is it average, mediocre, or is it dim, barely flickering?

God's word today, I believe, is meant to shock us out of a complacent spirit. There are moments in our life where it is good for us, to awaken the soul, to help us re-evaluate our present condition, and helps us to re-focus on the things that are important.

I remember an experience when I was stationed at St. Edward. The small room I stayed in was on the top, third floor, and during the scorching summer weather, without air conditioning, and cross winds, the temperature can sometimes be almost 90 degrees. So one day, I told the Pastor, Fr. Felino what we needed to do to resolve the problem, which is to install a portable air condition unit, figure out a way to exhaust the heat from the attic, and place fans in certain locations to create crosswinds. And when it was all said and done, he said something I'll never forget. He said: “You know, as hot as it is right now, hell is much hotter during this time of year.” I was so scared. I'll never forget the words. And I never complained after that.

What is your present spiritual condition? Are you on fire for the faith? What can you do to cultivate your faith, to keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts? We are responsible for our faith, and to cultivate our faith.

The Gospel Passage is situated near the time when Jesus is making his way towards Jerusalem. And he speaks about his own baptism: “There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished.” His baptism is the complete immersion into the life of humanity. He was speaking of the cross, his ultimate sacrifice for the world.

It's also good to remember our own baptism, when we begin our new life with Christ, our new journey with the Lord. And everyday, we can always give our life a little bit more for Christ. It's like the one sister Claire, who says: “Every day, I give the Lord a blank check.” Sister Claire is always open to whatever the Lord wants her to do. Every day, we can strive to give our life more to Christ.

There was a story told about Mother Teresa, and one day she was visited by a priest who wanted some spiritual direction and counsel, and she asked him: “How is your prayer life?” He responded: “I say the Mass every morning, and do the office, morning prayer and evening prayer, and also I pray the rosary and divine mercy chaplet, I spend time reading the scriptures, I go to confession once a month, and so I would say that my prayer life is great.” So Mother Teresa proceeded to ask him about works of charity. And the priest responded: I pray for the poor, and I help them by giving alms, and he went on to share all charitable activities that he was involved in.” But the priest felt defensive, and felt that she was trying to cross examine him, or judge him, so he took it very personal, and he wanted to prove that he was on the right track. After the response, he felt very self-righteous and very small. So he began to quiet his mind, lift up his heart, and listened to Mother Teresa. She said something to the effect that prayer is living out our baptism, and to give our life entirely to Christ, not just parts of the day, but every moment. She says: “if we don't do so, we would be too poor to give to the poor.” It's like St. Paul says: “Even if I give away everything I own, but if I do not love in my heart, I gain nothing.”

Let us remember our Baptism, being united with Christ, and sharing in his life.

There was another story about a group of Religious Sisters, and they had a group of visitors that came and wanted to meet and talk with the sisters. And one of the Sisters, who was much older and more seasoned, and was very intent on not receiving any visitors. She wanted some alone time for herself, so that she could do the things that she wanted to do. She locked herself in the room, while all the other sisters came knocking at her door. Mother Superior knocked on the door, but she refused to open the door. Mother Superior said: “If you won't do it for yourself, and you won't do it for us, or for the visitors, would you be able to do it for Christ. Would you do it for Jesus?” Slowly the door began to open, and she had a smile on her face.

As the Lord Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem, and his presence there is not without tension and conflict. The Pharisees, Scribes and Sadduccees tries to ensnare him, tries to discount him, and eventually they figured out a way to have him crucified. Although it was not his intent to cause division, but some just don't have room for Christ. It's interesting that on Palm Sunday, when he enters into the city, the people shout: “Hosanna, to the Son of David.” They sing praises: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They raise their palms, and lay their clothes at his feet. But afterwards the big ceremony, in the Gospel of Mark 11:11, Jesus returned with his disciples to Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary. Isn't it interesting that although they had this big ceremony for Jesus on Palm Sunday, but he didn't stay in Jerusalem, or maybe there was no room for him to stay. We're not entirely sure. But every day as we give our life a little more to Christ, we make room for him in our hearts.

How do we reconcile the understanding that Jesus is the prince of peace, and he said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons and daughters of God, with his words today: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. In a household of 5, three against two, and two against three, father against son, so on and so forth...

I don't think the Lord wants us to have a divisive mentality, where there is no room for peace and reconciliation. It's not that the Lord wants us not to reach out to others whenever there is problems or disagreements.

But following Jesus is never easy. Being a disciple means that we strive to do what is right and just in every moment and circumstance, because of Christ, and even when it is not the most popular thing to do. (Of course, it requires discernment, seeking counsel from elders, and guided by the Holy Spirit). It's good to have safeguards in place. Otherwise, we may be so convinced that we are about to do is the right thing to do, and it may allow ends to justify the means.

There was a story that on a hot August afternoon, a lady was walking towards her car after shopping, and she noticed an envelope on the ground. She picked it up and inside the envelope was a wad of cash totaling about $1000. A closer look at the envelope, it showed the name of the local bank, so she went to the bank and gave it to the manager. The very next day, the owner of the money reported it missing, and the bank was able to confirm that the individual was in fact the one who had dropped the envelope.

At this point of the story, we expect a feel-good ending. But the owner didn't send the lady any kind of acknowledgment or thanksgiving. No flowers, no thank you note, no phone call, no reward of some kind. And if you were in the woman's shoes, what would you do? Would you keep it? Or would you return it? Would you be bitter if there was no form of gratitude? Or would you return it because it's the right thing to do. I think our responses will vary from person to person. It also reveals what kind of person that we are. And what if we were that person that lost the envelope?

One of my favorite pastimes is to golf, my only form of exercise, stewardship of health. Golf is a game of recovery, because most likely the ball will go into the woods, or in the water, and so you have to take a penalty. I quickly learned that the ball often doesn't listen to you. So you do the best we can to get back on track. But golf is also a game of integrity and honesty. Because no one is counting your score. Unless someone else is paying close attention, no one knows except for you, and God. In many ways, Golf helps me to be honest.

The prophet Jeremiah, in our first reading, is someone who was known as a weeping prophet. In paintings, he is often seen as someone who is weeping and crying. There are people who see the glass half full, or some see the glass half empty. Jeremiah is one who sees it half-empty. He is someone who speaks out against certain injustices in the nation of Israel. Usually, its two things, not worshipping the one true God (which is practicing idolatry) and not caring for the poor, the widows and orphans. Jeremiah was quieted by the people, and thrown into a cistern. Of all the people, he was honest about the condition of his nation. And he boldly spoke up against it. And he was persecuted for it. His concern was for the soul of the country, to be righteous in the eyes of God. We may not be like the prophet Jeremiah, or have the opportunity to do so on a grand scale, but we can always strive to do the best we can, in our own capacity. As the Lord said: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

As disciples of Christ, and keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus (Letter to the Hebrews).

Recap:

God's word keeps us from having a complacent spirit.

We are confronted with many choices each day, and it reveals our relationship with Christ.

Together for Christ!