Jesus challenges us to look at our values and urges us to rethink how we look at the world and how we interact with the world. He uses the image of fire to characterize his ministry. Fire is a symbol that appears in the Scriptures at Pentecost, symbolizing the Holy Spirit that lights a fire under us to live and teach as Jesus lived and taught.
Fire also appears at our Easter Vigil Mass, as the flame from the newly blessed Easter candle is shared around, driving out the darkness. Fire represented God’s presence to Moses in the burning bush. And in one of the parables the foolish maidens had let their lamps burn out and so were unprepared for the day of the Messiah.
Jesus was not a dreamer who was imagining a magical new world. No. He knew that the growth of God’s Reign on earth would happen through sacrifice, humility, and love. That’s how any great project happens–through sacrifice, humility, and love. He knew that thorns would choke off the growing seeds, that he must proceed to Jerusalem, that he must drink the final cup and give his life for us.
We pray that the fire of Christ light our way and inflame us with love for God’s people.
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!'” (Luke 12:49)
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