Lectionary 476

476.doc

Scripture: Lectionary 476: Romans 6:19-23. Psalm 1:1-2.3.4.6. Luke 12:49-53:

Our passage on the fire of judgment and the baptism with which Jesus will be baptized is understood better by our rereading and meditating on the passage that says: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed—and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” (Luke 2:34-35).

Then we meditate on the Scripture for the day which is a continuation of the Journey Narrative where we learn how to become disciples of Jesus as those did who followed him on the way up to Jerusalem where he would soon die on the Cross just outside that holy city. We are united with Christ on the way of the cross in this passage of crisis and division. Simeon had predicted this in the Infancy Narrative now Luke relates is fulfillment in what will happen during Jesus final visit to Jerusalem. We have as part of our mission to enter into this judgment by fire (the Holy Spirit) who will help us through the divisions and crises even felt within one’s family or community. We will often face opposition by our adherence to the call of discipleship and its critical demands upon us. Jesus himself is predicting that this will happen to us perhaps spiritually or psychologically if not bodily as the martyrs entered this fire of judgment. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage and boldness to resist those who maltreated them; they were willing to lay down their lives for Jesus and many of them did.

The first to be martyred were the Apostles just after the martyrdom of St. Stephen. Yet, Jesus also predicted that salvation would come through his own death: “And I – once lifted up from earth—will draw all to myself.” (John 12:32).

Paul leads us to understand the mystery of Christ’s death through our faith received by our being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He will recall the descent into the water and the immersion beneath it and then our rising out of the waters of baptism as the grace of our baptism founded upon our faith and confirmed by our parents. We are thus united with Christ in his suffering, death, and being raised up by the Father—his resurrection.

All of the above is essential to our journeying with Jesus as his faithful disciples. Jesus own death is our source of life after death. His own death is called a “baptism” : “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I shall drink or be baptized in the same bath of pain as I?” (Mark 10:38). We say, YES, as faithful disciples. And we adore Jesus who by his Cross and Resurrection has redeemed us from the fiery judgment of separation. Amen.