Deacon Pat's Books

Deacon Pat's Books

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Jesus - Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth?

 



Today’s Gospel might be one of the most unsettling things we’ve heard Jesus say.

"Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division!"

This doesn’t sound like the Jesus we’ve grown comfortable with—the Jesus who blesses peacemakers, who calms storms, who forgives sinners.

But here, Jesus speaks with holy urgency, with the fire of a prophet and the heart of a Savior consumed by love.

Let’s take a moment to look more deeply.

"I have come to bring fire to the earth…"

What is this fire?

It’s not the fire of destruction—it is the fire of conversion, purification, and love.

The fire of the Holy Spirit, who descended at Pentecost in tongues of flame.

The fire of hearts burning on the road to Emmaus when Jesus opened the Scriptures.

The fire that Christ longs to see blazing in the hearts of His followers.

When Jesus says He wishes this fire were already kindled, He’s expressing a divine longing—for the world to be ablaze with truth, with holiness, with passionate love for God and neighbor.

But fire doesn’t just warm. It also refines. And that’s where the challenge begins.

"Do you think I have come to bring peace? No, but rather division."

This isn’t the division of anger or hatred.

It’s the division that happens when truth meets resistance.

When light shines into darkness.

When God’s kingdom confronts the kingdoms of this world.

When you choose to live fully for Christ, you may feel this division.

Maybe you already have.

  • A family member who mocks your faith…
  • A friend who pulls away because you won’t condone what you know is wrong…
  • A culture that calls you “intolerant” for standing up for marriage, for life, for truth…and against homosexuality, abortion, and gender lies.

This Gospel reminds us: you are not alone.

Jesus Himself experienced this.

His message divided households, cities, nations.

But it was never because He lacked love—it was precisely because He loved us enough to tell the truth, even when it cost Him everything.


And what about The Fire and the Sword

Some hear these words and get nervous. “Division? Fire?

This isn’t the gentle Gospel I wanted!”

But the Gospel isn’t always gentle—because sin is not gentle.

Lies are not gentle. And lukewarm hearts don’t get into heaven.

St. Catherine of Siena once said:

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

But brothers and sisters, to set the world on fire, we must first let ourselves be consumed.

Are we willing to be set ablaze with His love?

Are we willing to let Him burn away the pride, the compromises, the fear that keep us from being true disciples?


And then there is A Baptism of Suffering

Jesus speaks of a baptism He must endure—the baptism of the Cross.

He’s not just talking about water or ritual.

He’s talking about the full immersion into suffering, rejection, and death… for our sake.

If we are serious about following Him, we too must pass through fire.

Through trials.

Through difficult choices.

The world tells us to take the easy road.

Jesus tells us to take up our cross.

Not because He wants us to suffer, but because He knows that only through the cross can we reach the resurrection.


What Does This Mean For Us Today?

So what is Jesus asking of us here and now?

1.   Kindle the Fire:

Let your faith be visible.

 

Let the fire of the Holy Spirit animate your daily life.

 

Pray fervently. Speak truth courageously. Love sacrificially

 

2.   Be Willing to Stand Alone:

If standing with Christ puts you at odds with the world—even with loved ones—don’t be afraid.

Jesus warned us it would happen.

But He also promised: “I am with you always.”

3.   Speak the Truth in Love:

We are not called to stir division for its own sake.

We speak truth not to win arguments but to win souls.

Always with humility, always with love—but never without truth.

4.   Pray for Unity in Christ:

Real peace comes only through truth.

We must pray for our families, our parishes, our nation—to be united not by comfort or compromise, but by a shared commitment to Christ.


In Conclusion

Yes, Jesus brings peace—but not the kind the world gives.

He brings a peace that only comes after the battle, after the fire, after the Cross.

So let’s not be afraid of the fire.

Let’s not fear the divisions that come when we put Christ first.

Instead, let us live with hearts ablaze, willing to stand firm, willing to love boldly, willing to follow wherever Jesus leads.

And in the end, we will hear those blessed words:

"Well done, My good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord."

Amen.

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