Detachment from Worldly Cares to be Free in Christ
St. Thomas Aquinas National Seminary - Nairobi, Kenya
On Thursday October 20, 2011
Reflection at a Eucharistic Celebration
On Thursday October 20, 2011
Readings: Romans 6:19-23. Psalm 1:1-2.3.4.6. Luke 12:49-53
Sodom and Gomorrah; the towns and all the inhabitants were destroyed by fire from heaven (Gen 19:24-25). The same befell Egypt in the plagues (Ex 9:3), king Ahaziah’ soldiers who encountered the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:9-17). All of these were destructive fires. Indeed, the destructive and consuming force of fire is what comes to our minds whenever fire is mentioned (e.g. Sinai & Petron tanker). Is this what Jesus longed and wish for in the Gospel reading of today?
NO! the fire that Jesus came to cast on the earth is none of these. It is not a destructive fire. I am of the view that Jesus referred to the fire of God’s word (Jer 23:29); a fire that purifies, cleanses and leads to genuine love (Isaiah’s call & 1 Pt 1:22). This purifying fire rages, every day, in the hearts of true disciples of Jesus. Constantly they say “to one another, ‘were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’” (Lk 24:32)
Some grass and even sugarcane plantations are often burnt to be freed of the smothering litter and freed for new growth; so that a cycle of new life can begin. We are like that. Though we have set to follow Christ, we often accumulate junk in our lives which smothers our desire for the Lord.
Jesus needs to burn away and divide us (Lk 12:51) from these: possessions, (for life does not consist in possessions, even when someone has more than he needs [Luke 12:15]); from complacency, confusion, strife, unforgiveness, the desire for money, and all kinds of sins, which suffocate our spirit. Then a cycle of new, abundant life can begin in us (Jn 10:10).
In the first reading Paul leads us to a deep reflection on baptism; the sacrament that initiates the beginning of a journey and its unfolding in the light of our Christian commitment to faith in Jesus Christ. By it we die to sin to live in Christ Jesus. We find strength to offer ourselves to God (as instruments of righteousness); offer our heart to be slaves to holiness; caught up in doing good things that please and give glory God. sin (evil desires, mere human passions and ‘worldly’ attitudes and illusions of the mass mind) shall not be our master, because we are under grace.”
In this new life loyalty to Jesus Christ takes precedence over every other relationship; a loyalty challenging and higher than family; spouse or kin. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost and to choose who will be first in their lives. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:14). It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do (cf. Micah’s prophecy [7:6]).
THE CHOICE
Today, I call heaven and earth to witness against you: I am offering you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of Yahweh your God, obeying his voice, holding fast to him; for in this your life consists (Dt 30:19, 20)
Throughout this day and every day, each of us by our actions, words, thoughts, activities, and silences choose life or death, light or darkness, sin or holiness, Jesus or selfishness. To choose these we must choose to be painfully purified by fire; “a consuming Fire” (Heb 12:29), refining and purifying" us (Mal 3:3) until our faith shines brighter than pure gold (1 Pt 1:7). Throw yourself into the fire of God's love and live in His love (Jn 15:9).
I must propose that we submit to discipline, training, and learning from the masters, in the realm of transformation of consciousness. That’s freedom; freedom to do good, freedom not be ruled by the falsehoods of popular society or of our own passions. Indeed, striving towards freedom means yoking ourselves to the spiritual masters; Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa (martyrs -20th October 1918) very young catechists, eager to share their faith with others and even ready to died for it. What a mystagogy! Besides, today we honour the heroes of the land; the dauntless martyrs who did not hesitate to take any step against the colonizers in order to achieve independence for the whole nation. All of them comprise to form the memorable assets of Kenya. Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Dedan Kimathi etc. (Mashujaa Day). Have we truly lived to their dreams; have kept steady the path to true freedom and service to the society
Let us pray in this mass that the love of the Lord may consume each one of us and transform our lives that we may truly desire nothing more than life with him. May he make us strong in love and fidelity that nothing may hinder us from doing his will. Amen.
In God we Trust
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