The fire of honesty – given with respect – is an act of love that promotes regrowth and safeguards our family / community
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 17, 2025
At a time when many families suffer division due to financial stress and other pressures, and increasing reports of domestic violence in our communities, today’s readings don’t seem to make sense, especially for families in distress.
Today’s Gospel reveals a shocking message by Jesus: “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” And continues by saying “from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three;” etc. What can this mean?
The key to our readings today comes from the First Reading. Israel had lost fidelity to the teaching of God through the Covenant, straying so far away that they could not trust God to protect them: they looked for neighbours to help them defeat the Babylonians. Jeremiah was hated by the leaders and, although the King was sympathetic, he wanted to please his Generals.
It’s good to ask ourselves: are the Covenant instructions still important and relevant today?
The Covenant has great relevance for today, especially as the general culture moves from a focus on “myself” first, and the “community” second: whether that be family or the wider community. Of course, this varies from person to person and family to family.
All the instructions of God are designed to help us live together as a harmonious, happy and prosperous community. We all depend on the community to achieve peace, happiness and prosperity. The question is: do I see the community as only a place to receive or, also, to give?
Some might take offence at my question. However, as in other parts of my life, what I think or know to be right is not always reflected in my actions. Is that true for you? In Religious life, a Community can become very comfortable and get angry when a Superior insists on regularity and faithfulness to our Rules, to live more simply: to demand less and give more.
How much concern do we have for community, when I make my plans? When I decide on actions to benefit myself, will I be available for the community if there is need?
Jesus uses the image of fire. This is a powerful image: especially for people in Australia, Canada, USA (and recently Spain). When we think of fire we think of bushfires: people dying, homes destroyed and large parts of the land burnt out: there is fear, shock and worry.
However, fire has many elements: destruction (as in getting rid of rubbish), cleansing (as in bush medicine cleaning), joining (as in oxy-welding), fertiliser (as in ash improves the soil). Just like a gun, fire can be used for good or bad. Sometimes nature does things we don’t want but, often, it’s due to human interference or our inability to live in harmony with nature.
These key elements of fire, with the First reading, help us understand what Jesus is saying. Our community, and family members, sometimes need certain difficult truths to be spoken, in order to prevent the community, or family, from heading down a road of future destruction or crisis.
The Fire of truth forces a confrontation with our behaviours, actions or lack of action. Sometimes Dads say to kids: Do I have to light a fire under your backside to get you moving?!
On a humorous, but painful level, as related by my Aunt Sr Kath, I share the story of an aging mother whose son had an intellectual disability. The son was advancing in years and refusing to leave home: what will happen to him when mum dies? Sr Kath prayed for her, as the mother was also praying for a solution. Their house burnt down!
The mother had to enter into an aged care home, and the son into a home for people with his condition. Although the fire destroyed the house, it also forced a necessary change in living arrangements which relieved the mother and safeguarded the son. Now, I hope God doesn’t have to “burn” anything down in our lives to get us moving in the right direction.
Many parents struggle today to help their children take responsibility and work hard when they leave school and begin establishing their own lives. Parents, of course, do not want their children to suffer. However, sometimes, parents have to exercise tough love and deny their children an easy way out. In difficult struggles our “muscles” strengthen, and pride increases.
Today, the tone of Jesus is one of urgency. Despite the fact that we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, don’t delay to speak the truth. Parents, like Religious Superiors, often bear the anger of children who don’t want to change. But it is a necessary fire of love that safeguards our children and/or our wider community. Equally important, we must be certain that we speak the Truth according to Jesus for the situation, and not our own beliefs.
Where have you or I delayed to speak the truth? Can we do it this week? Out of love for the person we speak to, are we ready to absorb the pain of rejection and anger? And remember, a smart man knows what to say, but a wise man knows when to say it! Finally, is it myself? Am I ready to change before, like the Israelites, I’m forced into a cold exile?
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
