Mon. March 3, 2014
Deacon Robert Banet
Ever since I started reading the Bible, I get more and more confused.
Charlie, I’m glad you are continuing to read the Bible, but I’m sorry to hear about your confusion. What seems to be the problem?
It’s in the gospel of Luke. Jesus says He has come to cast fire on the earth. To spread divisions, not to spread peace. What about the sign of peace that we give at Mass?
I know what you mean. That passage is indeed disturbing. I have thought about it and have come to terms with it.
I’d be glad to hear what you have to say.
In another place, Jesus talks about peace. He talks about a peace that is not as the world gives but His peace. It seems to me he makes a distinction: two kinds of peace. It’s His peace that we invoke at Mass.
Go on.
His peace is the peace that passes all understanding, a peace that comes from knowing that God cares for us and His love is everlasting.
I follow you so far. Go on.
There’s another kind of peace, the kind the world gives. It means going along with things, accepting what the world says. Not rocking the boat, so to speak. So when the world says things contrary to the Gospel, we say OK, I’m not going to get upset about same-sex marriage or divorce. I’m just going to go along with what the TV and the big newspapers say.
I guess that’s what we mean by the peace of the world.
Right. And Jesus says, No. I came to spread division, to divide you from the world and its teachings. I did not come to hand you over to worldly ways.
That probably means division within families. The passage goes on to say something about dividing father against son and mother against daughter.
I’m afraid that sometimes it comes to that. Not often. But when there is serious disagreement about the Gospel, then it becomes necessary.
I guess you’re right. But what about when Jesus says that His yoke is easy and His burden light? That doesn’t sound very easy to me, dividing families!
Good question. But that will have to wait for another time. Glory to God!