August 17, 2025・20th Sunday in Ordinary Time ( C )

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10・Psalm 40.2+4ab,11ab+12・Hebrews 12.1-4・Luke 12.29-53

Today`s readings may need a more serious time in prayer and reflection, and may be needing a lot of self-emptying, and maybe needing also a sincere review about what we have commonly understood about Jesus`mission for us. In our Gospel reading today, Jesus tells His disciples that He came to bring fire and division, not peace. Families will be divided because of Him, with similar conflicts even among close relatives. As to what we have commonly understood about Jesus` intention, we have known about Him as bringer of peace, and of unity. That is why we aim at this time, to understand more the language of Jesus. The" worldly" cannot accept the reality that though we are in this world we are not for this world. Those who think that their existence and happiness and peace is founded in this world`s worldly things, then they will definitely separate ways.  

Our calling: Be encouraged to stay faithful to a life in Christ even if it is difficult!

In our first reading, we have the story of Jeremiah a man of truth. People wanted him gone for faithfully relaying the message of the Lord. He was in great trouble for speaking about the truth. Jeremiah put his trust in God so that God sent someone t rescue him and he was saved.

In the letter to the Hebrews (our second reading), we are reminded about Jesus who endured the cross and oppositions. Jesus` presence somehow caused division among people around Him.

There are indeed challenges in living-out our faith. As a good start in understanding more the language of Jesus, let us together ponder upon what had been the life of Jesus` disciples. Also, we have our so-called community and individual patron saints too. We can also ponder upon how our favorite saints had lived well on this earth. The disciples of Jesus, and the Saints, are followers of Jesus. They have shown us how faith can bring division, suffering. Following Jesus indeed requires courage perseverance & endurance.

In modern times, among us, there may be the so-called living saints. Let us visit them and discover how they are called “modern” and “living saints.”