Reflection for Aug. 17, 2025

Sister Mary, your reflection was very uplifting having just experienced a difficult and stressful week.

Yes, this Sunday readings remind us that "living our faith and sharing it" will involve suffering. This is well recorded by the life of Jeremiah and Jesus.

Thank you for your reflection and observation.

I hear messages of stark contrast in the gospel. First, Jesus declares forthrightly, "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" (LK.12:49)

"The earth on fire!" What is Jesus talking about - destroying God's earth?!" We see the earth "on fire" with many and extraordinarily massive wildfires in the Western U.S., Southern Europe, Canada. They are horrendously destructive. If Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit in this imagery, then that means the Holy Spirit is an extremely transformative and powerful force. I ask myself, "How are we to cooperate with this holy power: the 'will, words, and actions of God' in these Times?

Jesus continues with his compelling statement of purpose: "There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!" (LK.12:50)

"What?" again I ask. Jesus, you were already baptized, remember? In the Jordan, by your cousin John. The visible, potently intentional dove flew above you, remember? Now you speak of another 'baptism' that is causing you anguish and distress as you wait for its fulfillment. If you, the Christ, underwent two baptisms, what does that say about us, your followers? And what about all the innocents suffering today? Surely you would not intend this 'baptism of anguish' for them. Is our baptism meant to move us to respond to today's suffering through the power of the Holy Spirit, as described above? Help us be open and responsive to this Spirit, Jesus.

And then, you speak of division. A reality far too obvious and disastrous today. Yet, you want us to understand that the vision and values of honoring and serving 'the least powerful, wealthy, valued' is in stark contrast to the disregard, oppression and violence, authoritarian dehumanization we see happening so blatantly and flagrantly today. Greed, vengeance, deceit, hatred are never in the realm of God's 'kingdom.'

"Lord, come quickly to our aid!" that we may, by the compelling power of your Holy Spirit, respond to these Times as you will have us do so. (Ps. 40)

With eyes - also hearts and minds - fixed on Jesus, we move swiftly with light step into our future filled with hope that cannot be diminished by internal or external travails. For God is ever near to the broken-hearted.

Thanks Mary, I am lectoring this Sunday and also found Hebrews to be the hope in the middle. Glad you emphasized that hope in the midst of suffering. Peace

Thanks Mary! It is true, whatever we are experiencing in our lives, we need whatever/whoever God sends into our lives to work through it all. Sometimes those "angels" are surprising!