Cycle C

Good News C38a

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12:49-53 New American Bible

Luke 12:49-53 New International Version Bible Gateway

Luke 12:49-53 Contemporary English Version

“I have come to set the world on fire.”

Jesus came to set the world on fire. He wanted his good news to spread through the world quickly. Baptism is a wiping away of sins…a cleansing. The baptism Jesus was talking about was his death on the cross, descending into hell, and resurrection from the dead. This baptism would wipe our sins away so that we could enter into heaven.

There were five people in a family that went to listen to Jesus preach. Every one in the family heard the message of Jesus. Out of those five people, three believed him. Two did not believe him. He came to make people choose sides. This is the division Jesus talked about. It means that the family was not in agreement.

Today Christianity may be the world’s largest religion. In 2001 there were 2.1 billion Christians according to the 2001 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia. This means that out of every 100 people in the world in 2001, 33 were Christian, 67 were not. The numbers have increased today. If there were 10 people, 3 would be Christian. 7 would not. If there were 5, 3 would be 2 would not. This supports what Jesus said in today’s Gospel.

Pray the “Our Father” and ask God to help you spread the word and obey his commandments.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

Copyright © 2004 Joan Y. Edwards