My Dear People,

Jesus continues focusing on His coming: “I have come to set the earth on fire.” This fire, different from what Elijah called down from heaven (9:54-55); 2 Kings 1:10), is associated with the Baptism that Jesus still has to receive. The words “fire” and “baptism” are emphasized in the Greek text as the first words in the two parallel sentences. John the Baptist prophesied regarding the one who was “coming,” who would “baptize with the holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). The combination here of fire and baptism therefore foreshadows Jesus sending (24:49) the tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4), when  the disciples will be baptized—that is, filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). The Father’s plan is that the fire (which Jesus longs to see) will come blazing down from heaven (see Luke 9:54). Before the Spirit can be given in this way, however, Jesus must suffer the “baptism” of his passion and death (see Mark 10:38-39) in order to fulfill the Scriptures (see Luke 18:31). Having set his sights toward Jerusalem, Jesus is hard-pressed with this mission until it is accomplished.

John the Baptist, however, had also warned of a punishment by “fire” (3:9, 17). This image signifies, as well, the judgment that will occur at the Son of Man’s coming (see 17:29-30).

These two different aspects—the giving of the Spirit and judgment—are not surprising since Jesus has come as a sign of contradiction (2:34). He comes offering peace to those who accept it, but since some reject that offer, he brings division. This division will even affect household relationships (see 14:26; 18:29): father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Such was foretold by the prophet Micah: 

  For the son belittles his father, the daughter rises up against her mother, 

The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and your enemies are members of your household.  (Micah 7:6).

However, after this description of family strife, the prophet goes on to describe Israel’s regathering and restoration (Mic 7:12-15).  Jesus thus foretells that there will be a time of tribulation at his second coming (see Acts 1:6, 3:18-21; Rom 11:7, 25-26). Jesus’ words also apply to people of every nation. In choosing to follow Jesus, Disciples must be willing to bear with divisions resulting  among family and friends who do not share their commitment.

Turning now to the crowds, Jesus notes that they are able to interpret the appearance of external weather-related phenomena—rain coming from the Mediterranean in the west or heat waves from the desert in the south—but not the inner meaning of the present time, which is an opportune time for repenting (see 13:3,5) and recognizing the Messiah. Because of this disparity between the outside and the inside, Jesus calls them hypocrites. When Jesus reaches Jerusalem, he will lament that it, likewise, “did not recognize the time” of  His “visitation” (19:44).

Jesus urges the crowd to judge for themselves what is right in the looming crisis of which they are hardly aware. As He travels on the way to Jerusalem, the city that is coming under judgment, Jesus uses a courtroom image involving a case of debt in order to exhort them to waste no time, but to settle the matter while still on the way to court. Otherwise, they will face the judge, who represents God, and be thrown into debtor’s prison, from which one is not released until they’ve paid the last penny.

 Debt represents sin, and Jesus’ mission is precisely proclaiming the jubilee year of remission of such debts (4:18-19). However, these debts will not be forgiven without repentance—the sooner, the better, Jesus will now take up this message by issuing an urgent summons to repentance. (13:3,5).

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Vincent Clemente