Sunday August 17, 2025
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 38:4-6.8-10
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 40:2.3.4.18 (R. 14b)
SECOND READING: Hebrews 12: 1-4
GOSPEL READING: Luke 12:49-53
Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection
There is a saying that The road to hell feels like heaven, The road to heaven feels like hell.
Those who put Jeremiah in the pit thought that was his end, but the Lord came to his rescue , while they were faced with the evil they had planned for him.
If you're driving to an unknown location with Google maps and you mistakenly lose internet connection, you know you're in trouble.
This is what it means when you let go of Jesus in your journey of faith. It takes a lot to get back on track.
In keeping Jesus in sight, we may be so focused that we begin to neglect our former ways, our former companions, our former habits,; and this will create a lot of animosity, anger and hurt along the way.
This is the fire that love for Jesus brings, that Jesus speaks of today.
This fire burns, to purify us and to inflame those we once shared a sinful past with.
But we must not fear, or be wary because as the responsorial psalm assures us...the Lord is mindful of you, he will make haste to help you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let our faith be truly grounded in Jesus Christ so that our values and actions are firmly rooted in him
The king Zedekiah showed a double mind by pandering to the wishes of the princes on the one hand, then switching again to accommodate the wish of Ebed-melech.
Let's investigate this faith for ourselves to follow the prompting and leadings of Christ discerned through the Hoy Spirit. Don't let pride, fear, or indifference be the reason why i act.
Lord, make haste to help me! Amen
“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:4)
This verse reminds us that the battle against sin demands endurance, discipline, and sacrifice. Many give up at the slightest pressure, yet true victory often calls for deeper perseverance than we have yet shown. If Christ endured even to the shedding of His blood, then our present struggles are not beyond bearing. Strength is measured not by how quickly we escape trials, but by how firmly we stand until the end, refusing to let sin conquer our soul.
For me, this Gospel reminds us that following Christ is not always about comfort or superficial peace but about truth and commitment. Jesus speaks of bringing FIRE to the earth, a fire that purifies, transforms, and ignites hearts with zeal for God. This fire also brings division because living faithfully often means making choices that go against worldly values, traditions, or even family expectations.
The “division” Jesus speaks of is not about hatred or conflict for its own sake, but the unavoidable tension that arises when we choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. The call of the Gospel challenges us to take a stand: to put God first, even when it costs us relationships, approval, or comfort.
This passage asks us: Am I ready to let the fire of Christ burn away what is false in me? Am I willing to stand firm in my faith even when it causes misunderstanding or division? True discipleship requires courage, sacrifice, and fidelity to Christ above all else.
Peace of the Lord be with you all.
My Reflection
My understanding of the readings especially the Gospel is that speaking the truth and living a righteous life will always bring conflict from those who do not believe in the truth nor want to live a righteous life.Just as Our Lord's coming and proclaiming the truth led to conflict, the whole Jewish council sat down against one man Jesus because he spoke the truth to them.So it was so it continues to be .Even in our world today. This was what Jeremiah also suffered.For speaking the truth he was cast into a cistern.What this tells me is that we must be ready to face conflict for speaking the truth because it will surely come.But not to worry God will be with us through it all and will save us.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today’s readings invite us into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus — a calling that demands courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to truth, even in the face of opposition.
In the first reading (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10), the prophet Jeremiah faces rejection and persecution simply for proclaiming God’s message. He is thrown into a cistern to die, yet God raises help for him through an unexpected channel. This reminds us that doing the will of God will not always make us popular, but as St. Paul assures us, *“If God is for us, who can be against us?”* (Romans 8:31). In our world today, standing for justice, honesty, and purity may cause ridicule or isolation, but our faith teaches us to be steadfast.
The responsorial psalm (Psalm 40) beautifully captures the heart of trust: *“I waited, I waited for the Lord, and He stooped down to me.”* Life’s challenges may test our patience, but God’s timing is perfect. As a saying goes, “Faith is not believing that God can, it is knowing that He will — in His own time.”
The second reading (Hebrews 12:1-4) urges us to “persevere in running the race” while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Like athletes who endure rigorous training for a crown, we too must strip away distractions and sin. This perseverance is not passive — it is a daily choice to live in love, truth, and service, even when the road is steep.
In the Gospel (Luke 12:49-53), Jesus speaks of bringing “fire” to the earth — the fire of the Holy Spirit that purifies and transforms. He warns that His mission may cause division, even among families, because truth challenges comfort zones. This is not a call to hatred, but a reminder that authentic discipleship requires choosing God above all else. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”
Beloved in Christ, our world needs men and women who, like Jeremiah, will speak the truth with love; who, like the saints, will run the race with perseverance; and who, like Christ, will set hearts ablaze with the fire of God’s love. Let us be unafraid to live out our faith courageously, knowing that trials are not the end, but stepping stones to eternal glory.
May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to be faithful witnesses, even when the cost is high. And may our lives echo the words of St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Amen.
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