Today's gospel is confronting. Jesus tells us that he comes to bring division! This is not usually what we expect from Jesus who, in his resurrection, greets the disciples: "Peace be with you" (Lk 24: 36) How does the division come about? I think it is because Jesus asks the question: "But who do you say that I am?" (Lk 9: 20) We know from our own experience, including our families, that the responses to this question vary. The fire that Jesus brings is a judgement that purifies our hearts and asks of us a living faith whereby we trust in him. Being a Christian takes ongoing conversion and openness to God's love even if others look at us sideways or think of us as strange or even deluded. Coming to Mass on Sunday is important because it affirms the fundamental choice we each make to follow Jesus, as his missionary disciples, and orient our lives towards him and him alone. No other relationship, ideology or lifestyle can take his place. the mystery of the gift of faith is deepened further when we understand that the initial choice come not from me but from God: "I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. you did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." (Jn 15: 15-17)
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