Thursday,
October 20, 2016
29th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading:
Eph 3: 14-21
Gospel: Lk 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples, “I have come to bring fire upon the earth and how I wish it were already kindled; but I have a baptism to undergo and what anguish I feel until it is over!
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, in one house five will be divided; three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daugh ter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Today’s Gospel message comes as a surprise to those who expect peace from Christ. Jesus said, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” The story of St. Francis of Assisi throws light on this difficult Gospel passage. At 25, while praying at the Church of St. Damien, Jesus spoke to him from the crucifix and said, “Francis, go and repair my Church which you see is falling into ruins”. Thereafter he began restoring that small chapel and giving money and clothes to the poor. His father became furious and demanded his property back. In front of the bishop’s palace Francis stripped himself of his clothes and said, “These clothes are also yours, you should take them back too”. Francis’ determination to serve God created division between him and his father. There are higher values that override peace. Divisions like this where God is the proximate cause carry God’s approval.
Extrajudicial killing is one issue dividing the nation today. Admittedly, extrajudicial killing has scared drug users and pushers alike as their drug lords are either arrested or publicly put to shame. While extrajudicial killing sounds pragmatic and has produced concrete results for the government’s war on illegal drugs, respect for the author of life should override pragmatic considerations. Out of respect for God, the author of life, we should not freely take the lives of those involved in the illegal drugs trade. Civil societies have not abandoned the sound principle that every person is innocent until proven guilty. “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
This issue has divided the nation. When it comes to standing for the values God holds so dear, peace must give way to division. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM, MMExM, MAPM, REB. Email: [email protected].
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