Holy Tension and the Spirit of Discipleship

 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 14, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10; Psalm 40:2–4, 18; Hebrews 12:1–4; Luke 12:49–53

To listen to the audio-video reflections on YOUTUBE please click on this link: https://youtu.be/9aLl2P2eHT0

We are in the midst of celebrating 75th anniversary of Indian independence. The words like freedom, liberation, peace, justice, harmony, integrity, love, multiculturality, diversity, progress, sacrifice, selfless service, collaboration, cooperation, identity, etc, are some of the words that will be heard in the speeches delivered on the 15th August. As we continue to enjoy the blessings of independence from foreign forces, we are becoming aware of how we are enslaved by the unfreedom because of our corrupt political and bureaucratic system, one-sided majoritism which wants to place minorities under its subjugation, ever-widening communal divide destroying the very fabric of Indian multiethnicity and religiosity, unstoppable price rise and pushing the poor into still deeper poverty and so forth. 

In the midst of this, we also celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of Mother Mary into heaven. Here is a person who showed us through her life what true freedom and liberation are. Mary overcomes all evils and sufferings of this world because of her deep faith in God. Her obedience to God's Will demolishes all that is not good and disappointing. In other words, Christian spirituality is nothing but living our lives with the tension of our daily lives with the call of Jesus. 

1. A right relationship with God through a right living

The liturgical readings on this 20th Sunday of the ordinary time are astonishing. We see Jeremiah, the prophet subjugated to all sorts of persecution including being made to die in a well because he spoke the truth. In the gospel reading, Jesus appears to us very puzzling and even alarming. He asks: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:51). Perhaps, we must do connecting the dots here.  Jesus uses the image of fire to describe the demands or the cost of discipleship. In the prayer that Jesus gave us to pray to our Father in heaven, we pray for God’s kingdom to come on this earth. That is a Kingdom of peace and justice which is more than we can think of (Matthew 6:10). In other words, Jesus wants no divisions but unification with God through a right living. 

During Jesus’ life on earth, Jesus did try to classify that which is good and bad. He said to his followers, “therefore, do whatever they (Pharisees) teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:3). At the Last Supper Jesus told his disciples that he was giving them peace, a peace that the world could not give, a peace that no one could take away from them (John 14:27). We call Jesus the Prince of Peace. In the Beatitudes we read, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). They are the ones who do the work of God - and of Jesus. In the letter to the Ephesians, Jesus is called our peace, breaking down the walls that divide peoples (Ephesians 2:17). “By this will all know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another” (John 13:35).

2. Religious culture and the culture of Christianity

The annals of history show us how the world has been divided over religions; often the wars have been fought over religion. Professor Samuel Huntington of Harvard University in his famous work “The Clash of Civilizations?” spoke about cultural wars. Unfortunately, according to him, they are mainly inspired by religion; because each religion cultivates and promotes a particular culture.  The critics of religion do make us believe that is exactly right when we look at the divisions. suffering and wars that have caused in the Middle East (Jews and Muslims), the former Yugoslavia (Orthodox and Muslims), India (Hindus and Muslims), and Northern Ireland (Catholics and Protestants).

In many countries, both Christian individuals and Christian communities are seen as a threat to governments, various power groups and other religious groups. We saw this in practically every Communist regime during the 20th century: the Soviet Union, the East European satellites, China and Vietnam. Yet it was the faith of Christians, who, without firing a shot were significantly instrumental in bringing down militant Communism in Central and Eastern Europe. Yet, in the long history of the Church, how many families have suffered because members became Christians? Most of us - especially those who are living in non-Christian or anti-Christian societies - probably have met someone who was rejected by their family for becoming an active Christian. And, not infrequently, suspicion and mistrust come even from other Christians, from within the Church itself.

3. The Christian message of peace and harmony

In the First Reading of today, we see Jeremiah is dumped into a cistern (well) not by outsiders but by his own people who did not like the message from God that he was bringing. Those who are in the power and those who adhere to that power dislike prophetic voices. It is said that there have been more martyrs for the faith in Jesus Christ in the supposedly advanced and civilized 20th century than in all the preceding centuries! The Christian message is non-violent. It brings love, compassion, harmony, and peace. It brings people together so that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female... But it also of its nature challenges injustice, corruption, discrimination, abuse, dishonesty and all attacks on human dignity. The role of the evangelizer is "to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." 

True religion does not divide but unites.  It is only a false Christianity or religion that deliberately creates division ("them" and "us"). It is not Christianity or any other religion as such which has brought so much suffering but certain people who call themselves "Christians" or "Muslims," or "Hindus" or Jews." At the same time, true Christianity in defending truth, justice, human dignity and freedom will inevitably meet opposition and be attacked. The passage which says that the peacemakers are blessed also says that those who are persecuted in the name of the Gospel are equally blessed. Strangely enough, both go together. 

    The Church is blessed with a large number of martyrs or persons who gave testimony passionately for their faith or believed in what Christ inspired them, who fought for truth, justice, human rights and basic freedom which is everyone's sacred right. It is these that the Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews speaks about: “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).  The example of Jesus who was himself the object of the most terrible violence should be a source of inspiration. We must be inflamed with the love of God. It is to have that unceasing desire and Will to grow in holiness and zeal for the salvation of oneself and others. 

Questions for reflections:

1. What images or feelings evoke in you when Jesus says that he has come to bring division? How do you find yourself wanting to respond?
2. How do you react to someone when you are unnecessarily criticized, evaluated and made false opinions about you?
3. As you think about the state of your own life or of the world right now, what praise or petition do you wish to offer our saving Lord?

Prayer:

Gracious and loving God, though I am afflicted and poor yet You think of me; You come to my aid in those moments of distress and suffering. You are indeed my help and deliverer. Grant me the grace and serenity in those times when I feel distressed, deceived and doubted. For You are my source of strength and pillar of my life. 

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live together in justice and peace; We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

August 12, 2022