Daily reflection _ rooted and grounded

ROOTED AND GROUNDED
The essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus Christ; a loyalty that takes precedence over all things. The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
In today's Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord...He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full" (Ps 33:5). His kindness dwells within us and is spread to others, which helps bring fullness to our lives as Christian people.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing" (Lk 12:49)! Fire, in biblical times, was associated with God and with His action in the world and in the lives of His people. God our Father sometimes manifested His presence with the use of fire, such as the burning bush which was not consumed when God spoke to Moses (cf Ex 3:2). God's fire both purifies and cleanses, and it inspires a reverent fear of God and of His Word in us.
Jesus' sharp statement that He would cause division rather than peace within families must have shocked His followers. Was He exaggerating? Jesus needed to drive home an important lesson. Think about it! We often do the same when we want to emphasize something strongly. The Gospel message does have consequences for our lives. It has the loving power to heal, restore, and unite those of us who believe its message, but the consequences of ignoring or rejecting the Gospels can lead to many hurtful desires causing us to focus only on worldly things and what is limited in its offering.
The essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus Christ; a loyalty that takes precedence over all things. The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. Jesus challenges us to examine who we love first and foremost. To be a true follower (disciple) means loving God above all else, with the willingness to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Love, unity and reconciliation; one body, one spirit in Christ, we pray. In St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians he intercedes on our behalf, praying "that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith...rooted and grounded in love" (Eph 3:17). May we also pray at the Eucharistic Sacrifice for the love and calm that can only come from our faith and trust in the Lord.
Let God be first in all we do!