Reflections for Sunday, August 18, 2019: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
Mass Readings:
1st Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
Responsorial: Psalm 40:2-4, 18 Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Saying Yes to God’s Call to Be an Instrument of His Peace and Reconciliation
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? (Luke 12:51)
Well, yes, as a matter of fact. Didn’t Isaiah announce the coming of the “Prince of Peace” (9:5)? Didn’t the angels sing, “Peace on earth” on the night Jesus was born (see Luke 2:14)? Of course he came to establish peace on earth!
That may be true, but at the same time, the aged Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be “a sign that will be contradicted” (Luke 2:34). In fact, Jesus’ entire public life seemed to be marked by division and controversy. Pharisees and Sadducees argued over him. The Jewish Sanhedrin couldn’t come to agreement. Even one of his close followers turned traitor on him.
So is Jesus a source of peace? Or is he a source of division? He’s both.
Jesus knows that not everyone will embrace his message and the peace that comes with it. He also knows that divisions will arise because of this. On a grand scale, we have seen this in religious conflicts around the globe. And on a more intimate scale, we see this in many families. On the one hand are those who have accepted Jesus and the blessings of his salvation. On the other hand are those who have yet to embrace the salvation that Jesus came to bring. At times, the differences can be so strong as to cause conflict and separation.
Divisions may be inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. That’s where you come in. How will you respond when those divisions manifest themselves at home? With compassion, prayer, and understanding? Or with defensiveness, arguments, and condemnation?
Jesus is the Prince of Peace because he came to bring peace to our divided hearts. And as our own divided hearts are healed, we learn how to love as he loves and how to forgive as he forgives. Only Jesus’ love and forgiveness can bring unity.
You can make a difference. By staying close to Jesus, who is your peace, you can be a force for reconciliation. Never underestimate the impact you can have!
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
1. The first reading opens with these words: In those days, the princes said to the king: “Jeremiah ought to be put to death; he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin.” King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your power”; for the king could do nothing with them. And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah. When a court official, Ebed-melech, complained the king changed his mind: Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.
- Prior to the opening words of the first reading, Jeremiah prophesied the truth to the king, and to all the people, that Jerusalem would be overthrown by the Chaldean army. Why do you think the response was so strong to his words?
- Why do you think the king changed his mind and had Jeremiah rescued?
- Have you ever been persecuted or attacked for speaking the truth? How did you respond to the attacks?
2. The responsorial psalm begins with these words: I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. The LORD heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp; he set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and trust in the LORD. The psalm ends with these words: Though I am afflicted and poor, yet the LORD thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, hold not back!
- In what way do these opening verses parallel the first reading? In what way are they different?
- Was there ever a time when you cried out to the Lord in a difficult situation, and the Lord was your help and deliverer? What happened as a result?
3. The second reading opens with these words: Brothers and sisters: 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. It ends with these words: For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
- What do you think it means that we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses?
- Why should this lead us to 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?
- What steps can you take during your times of prayer each day to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith? In what way does knowing that Jesus Christ endured the cross and shed his blood for your sins, help you not to grow weary and lose heart and in your struggle against sin?
4. The Gospel reading begins with these words: Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! It ends with these words: Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
- How do you understand these words of Jesus, especially since Jesus is called the Prince of Peace?
- What about these words of Jesus: I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!
- Why do you think divisions occur when people resist the truth of who Jesus is and the need to acknowledge him as Lord and Savior? How can you be a better uniter, rather than a divider, in your own family?
5. The meditation is a reflection on the Gospel reading and these words from the reading: Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth (Luke 12:51)? It includes these words: “Jesus knows that not everyone will embrace his message and the peace that comes with it. He also knows that divisions will arise because of this.” It continues with these words “Divisions may be inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. That’s where you come in. How will you respond when those divisions manifest themselves at home? It then provides two possible answers to this question: “With compassion, prayer, and understanding? Or with defensiveness, arguments, and condemnation?”
- Why should divisions arise because “not everyone will embrace his message and the peace that comes with it”?
- The meditation asks this question: “How will you respond when those divisions manifest themselves at home?” It goes on to provide two possible answers. Which of these answers best describes how you respond to divisions?
How can you better respond to the ending words of the meditation?
Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace to be a uniter, not a divider, and to be his instrument of peace. Use the prayer below from the end of the meditation as a starting point.
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
