Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Who are the Christian heroes of your life? What do you know of their relationship with their family, community, and followers?
The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Gospel Reflection August 17 2025. Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photos: Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Mariella Erdmann
Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Background:
The Gospel text follows the Gospel from last week. That Gospel began with a gentle reminder to trust in God’s compassion. “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock…” Jesus then turned directly to the disciples with two parables that used the image of servants waiting for their master’s return. The parables emphasized the need to be vigilant with the responsibilities entrusted to them. The second of the two parables concluded with the admonition that much is expected of those who have received much.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks in a way that might be disturbing. Often in the Gospels, Jesus’ encounters with the disciples begin with the greeting, “Peace.” But here he says that he has come not to bring peace but division. Jesus sounds more like the person John the Baptist foretold was coming when he said, “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8)
It may be helpful to keep in mind Jesus’ experience of returning to his home community. All three synoptic Gospels record Jesus’ rejection.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. … When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. (Luke 4:16, 28-30)
He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. (Mt 13:54-58)
He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” (Mk 6:1-4)
Jesus was experiencing rejection by his extended family unit, and in his hometown. To be rejected by one’s family was life-threatening. Those relationships formed a network of protection and socialization, and were necessary for survival. People did not go off to the store if they needed supplies or a distant relative came to visit. Others had skills of creating cloth, tents, nails, door latches, and tending crops and orchards. People needed to have a working relationship with their community. Jesus knew what it was like to have those relationships jeopardized because of his choice. His disciples would and did experience similar kinds of rejection by their choice to become his disciples. Yet he was fully dedicated to his message and living by values of the reign of God. This was not always a popular choice.
Reflection Questions:
- What images come to mind when you think of fire?
- Who are the Christian heroes of your life? What do you know of their relationship with their family, community, and followers?
- Have here been times when you received a negative response from others because of the things you said or did?
- How does this Gospel affect your image of Jesus?
- Do you know people who seem to be on fire with the Gospel?
- How would their community be different without such people? How would you be different?
- Can you take some time to talk to God honesty and frankly about how you hear Jesus’ desire that the world would be on fire in today’s Gospel?
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