Jesus declares that he has come to “set the earth on fire” in today’s gospel. Fr Peter notes that the image of fire is used throughout scripture to signify the creative, cleansing, and redeeming power of God. Dare we enter the fiery furnace of God’s love with Jesus? If we can, we can be sure that God will not only preserve us, he will bring us to eternal life.
In those days, the princes said to the king: “Jeremiah ought to be put to death.”
JER 38:4-6, 8-10
Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.
HEB 12:1-4
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”
LK 12:49-53