20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

1st Reading                   Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10

Psalm                             40:2, 3, 4, 18 (R. 14b)

R://"Lord, come to my aid!"

2nd Reading                Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel                           Luke 12:49-53

GOD'S WORD DIVIDES AND PURIFIES

Friends, Peace and Goodness! Today is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Our first reading is from Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10 and the Gospel is from Luke 12:49-53. 

Let us start with the first reading from Jeremiah. We need to understand the vocation of the prophet Jeremiah. Precisely, his vocation is stated thus: “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to tear down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.” (Jer. 1:10). This is a prophet who works largely for the nation and the palace. His mission of destroying and overthrowing and building and planting should also find meaning within the rise and fall of Kingdoms. This is a palace prophet. Often, because he speaks words of destruction, he is regarded as a "prophet of doom". This designation stems from a misunderstanding of Jeremiah's mission. His words of 'doom', deemed as such, are rather saving words. Because they do not tally with what people want to hear, they see Jeremiah's as 'doom'. Since Jeremiah's words are God's Words, it should rightly inform us that the plans of God do not align with human plans. If we need to understand God's plans, then we should also begin to see God's Will in each others words and actions. Every person's words and actions carry the Will of God for a specified case. 

The historical context of the first reading is that King Zedekiah is faced with making a very important decision for the nation. Around 586 BC, the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, were threatening to take over the rule of the Jews and other nations. Since they were formidable and strong, King Zedekiah was torn between following God's prophet and appeasing his own officials who advocated for resistance. To give in or not, to follow the prophet's advice or his officials' admonition. 

What was the advice of Jeremiah? He said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Anyone who stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague; but anyone who surrenders to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as plunder, and stay alive" (Jer. 38:2). Clearly, from Jeremiah, God's Will is for the King to allow the rule of the Babylonians. This will save the city, prevent destruction, and save lives. Rather than listening to him, the officials of the king reacted with hostility. They saw Jeremiah as weakening their soldiers by his words and plotting against his own people. It will be interesting to know that those working against Jeremiah are the OFFCIALS OF THE KING. The Hebrew word translated as OFFICIAL is שׂר (Sar) and that is the word used describe a leader, prince, or noble who holds a position of authority, governance, or representation in ancient Israelite society. This is a person with political power. He has the capacity to think with and for the King. The greatest tragedy is that the person who should think with and for the King cannot discern the Will of God. We need to understand that every decision we are to make must be thoroughly discerned so as to carry and reflect the mind of God. 

The third consideration is that Jeremiah was thrown into a well, the well of Prince Malchiah in the Court of the Guard. The condition of this well is well-described as having no water but only mud. This is a very hazardous and uncomfortable place to be. More than that, any heavy object has the capacity of sinking in a mud. What it should tell is that the mind of these princes would be to kill Jeremiah and so sink his great divine strategy of salvation for the city. Meanwhile, God's plans endure. From the very place where the prophet's destruction came from, salvation for the prophet came. 

Ebed-Melech spoke to King Zedekiah about the wickedness in the plot of the officials. Upon this exposé, Jeremiah was to be set free. What is interesting here? Ebed-Melech actually means "the King's Servant". "Ebed" means "Servant" and "Melech" means "King". It is from the same royal court that Jeremiah gets saved. Listening to a Servant when the high-ranked officials have spoken is one of the unexpected things to occur. Within this lies the Will of God. Certain unexpected relationships can save. Also, God does not abandon his own. It took the King's Servant to save the prophet. 

The Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 is rather a very shocking and strange one. Jesus frightens everyone with his utterance. He has come to bring FIRE to the earth and to bring DIVISION. 

Let us go back to the last book of the Old Testament — Malachi — to get a clearer understanding of Jesus' words. The author of Malachi says, "Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of armies. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap" (Mal. 3:1-2). The stress is on "refiner's fire". A refiner's fire does not destroy but aims at separating. The refiner heats up a metal so that the impurities float on top where he scoops it away, leaving the pure element. 

The second consideration is Luke 24:32, where Jesus, after speaking to the two Emmaus men, left their hearts BURNING. Thus, "They said to one another, 'Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?'" (Lk. 24:32). Although the Greek words used in this statement and in today's Gospel have been translated as BURNING, the Greek words are different. Despite this, what causes BURNING is FIRE. In Luke 24, what served as the FIRE was the SCRIPTURES. These are words about Jesus and from Jesus. Invariably, Jesus, in today's Gospel, should be speaking about the words from him as what will cause a separation between pure and impure elements. There will be friction to the extent that a household will be divided. The first reading sets the example for us that even in the royal household, upon hearing the words of the prophet, even when he said "Thus says the Lord", there was Division. 

Our reaction to Jesus' words will reflect a lot. That will add up to the fire. Your reaction should be accompanied by discernment so that you do not seek to destroy God's Word intended to save the masses. Be intentional and discerning about what you hear and the action you take 

Pax et Bonum