ROOTED AND GROUNDED
In today’s Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, “The earth is full of
the goodness of the Lord” (Ps 33:5b). God loves what is right and just, and the
kindness that dwells from within us overflows to others, bringing fullness to
our lives as a Christian people. We hear Jesus’ Words in Luke’s Gospel, “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 by using fire, such as when God spoke to Moses from the burning
bush, which was not consumed (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 claiming 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 word. However, the consequences
of ignoring or rejecting the Gospels can lead to many hurtful desires. But sometimes
it is only then that we begin to focus on the inadequacy of worldly things and
only recall the limits of what they can offer.
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 – one must love God
above all else and be willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. In his Letter to
the Ephesians, Paul prays “that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith;
rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). When we receive the Eucharist, let us
also pray for the love and calm that can only come from our faith and trust in
the Lord.
God is first in all we do!