Homily 8-18-2013

Catechism par. #575 Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction",³²¹ but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the Gospel according to John often calls simply "the Jews",³²² than for the ordinary People of God.³²³ To be sure, Christ's relations with the Pharisees were not exclusively polemical. Some Pharisees warn him of the danger he was courting;³²⁴ Jesus praises some of them, like the scribe of Mark 12:34, and dines several times at their homes.³²⁵ Jesus endorses some of the teachings imparted by this religious elite of God's people: the resurrection of the dead,³²⁶ certain forms of piety (almsgiving, fasting and prayer),³²⁷ the custom of addressing God as Father, and the centrality of the commandment to love God and neighbor.³²⁸
576 In the eyes of many in Israel, Jesus seems to be acting against essential institutions of the Chosen People:
- submission to the whole of the Law in its written commandments and, for the Pharisees, in the interpretation of oral tradition;
- the centrality of the Temple at Jerusalem as the holy place where God's presence dwells in a special way;

I came to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.
Jesus brings not peace but a sword?? “The Prince of Peace”??
Tough love is often misunderstood by those who receive it. “Truth will set you free, but it could also put you in jail.”
I came to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing. Fire is dangerous. Nothing touches it unchanged. Same thing with Jesus.
Jesus struck to the heart, he hits in the gut, and he gets a gut-reaction, a reflex.
Fireworks too close. Scaring/surprising Mom.
Martyrs, Padre Pio, etc.
If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire. (Catherine of Siena)

Let's not shy away from being the powerful transforming force God wants us to be for our world. They may not understand it, it may shock and scare them, they may hate us for it, but the Truth will set us free and living (and dying) like Jesus will save us.