Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest
The fire of Christ, the Cross of life
Luke 12: 49-53

The disciples of were waiting for a Messiah who would be a glorious conqueror, a king who would bring peace and prosperity. But Jesus speaks of judgment, suffering, and division. This is not the golden age they were expecting.

Fire, in the language of Scripture, is a symbol of judgment. Jesus reminds us that his coming demands a choice, and his Word burns away illusions and false securities. Like fire, it purifies and reveals what is true. We may want to soften the sharpness of Jesus’ Words, but they always carry us to a moment of decision.

Jesus speaks of his “baptism.” He is not talking about water, but about being plunged into suffering—the baptism of the Cross. He is fully aware of what is to come, and yet he walks toward it willingly, out of love. This is the paradox of the Christian faith: the King triumphs by sacrificing his life.

Finally, Jesus explains that His arrival will cause division. We understand how true this is, as families, friends, and nations can be divided over the choice to follow or reject Christ. Loyalty to Him must take precedence over all other relationships.

The question for us today is simple yet demanding: Do I allow the fire of Christ to purify my heart? Do I embrace his Cross as the way to life? Am I willing to choose Christ, even when it costs me?

Jesus is not a distant conqueror. He is the King, whose crown is thorns and whose castle is a Cross. He invites us to share his victory—not by avoiding the fire, but by passing through it with Him.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025