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Reflection by Fr Casmir Arul OMI, Parish Priest Moe-New Newborough catholic parishs.
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division’. On face value these words from Jesus sound very different from his normal approach and seem difficult for us to understand. But when we think about it, we will quickly acknowledge, how true and relevant his message is even today in the 21st century.
What division is Jesus speaking about? When a seed sprouts and opens, there is a division as the little plant breaks through the seed. The sun’s rays create a division as they break through the clouds. The division that Jesus is speaking about is the division that leads to this light and life. Not the division of selfishness and pride that leads to darkness and death.
How does Jesus make divisions? The Jewish culture in his time was obsessed with laws. Jesus said to them, the law is made for people, not people for the law.” In other words, God is basically love not law. So love, mercy and justice are far more important than petty rules. With these thoughts Jesus caused a great division with the people of his time. On the one hand, some people who listened to him did not agree with him, rebelled against him and eventually killed him. While, on the other side many people understood what Jesus was saying to be very true and agreed with him and followed him. These 2 groups of differing views were from the same community, culture, and clan.
History tells us that there has always been division and problems when someone makes a decision about Jesus and their Christian life. I am sure we can think of many examples of people where faith has caused division and people feel rejected by family and friends.
The other day, I went to visit a family, a usually happy family. That particular day I felt that something was not ok. The mother was not happy about something. I asked her what was wrong and she replied: “I called my 19 year old daughter and invited her to Sunday Mass, she said she would not come although she was free all day.” This decision was causing division in the family. We are well aware even now, in our times, people are being persecuted and at times killed because they are committed Christians.
During Jesus’ earthly presence he always spoke the truth which caused division. Jesus related to and made friends with all kinds of people which caused division. He mixed with the outcasts of the society and was called a glutton and drunkard. He healed those who were possessed and was accused of using the power of Beelzebub, this caused division. He forgave the woman caught in adultery; there was division. Jesus was seen as a threat and a disgrace to the Jewish race.
How is our life as a follower of Christ? Are we sometimes afraid to love generously? Are we sometimes afraid to speak and live the truth as it may cause division? Are we afraid of what other people might think and say about us if we forgive and welcome all people into our lives?
Jesus is not telling us to go around fighting and making divisions. But he is certainly telling us to look at how we are genuinely living our Christian lives. It is easy to become people who compromise truth and love and become wishy-washy in our discipleship so as to be accepted. It is easy to become people who speak about love without even mentioning sacrifice. Jesus wants us to stand by truth, mercy and justice in our life, even if it costs us out. Let us take a stand for Christ and strive to live like he did. When God is for us who can be against us.
