Fire has great power!

One of the great friendships in the Bible was between David and Jonathan.  The friendship was even more remarkable because King Saul, Jonathan’s father, hated David.  Once Saul ordered Jonathan to betray David. Jonathan refused.  When it comes to doing what is right or wrong, neither a parent nor our closest friend can force us to violate our conscience.  This is Jesus’ point in this week’s Gospel reading.   
       Because of his claim to be the Son of God, Jesus divided people, even father from son and mother from daughter.  The decision to follow Jesus touches the deepest part of our being.  No one may interfere with it, not even father, or mother, or closest friend.  Jesus was able to divide people because people are divisible.  From the day Cain killed Abel to the day when Judas sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and every day afterwards, two people in the same situation have made different decisions.   
       Even after heredity and environment have been allowed for, the awesome fact of human freedom remains. It can be a tremendous burden to realize that our everyday choices have eternal consequences, that our petty words and deeds can echo through the vaults of the universe, that we finite creatures have infinite, never-ending futures!   
       Fire has great power!  It can destroy and it can create.  Wheat and water, when exposed to fire, become bread.  Clay when fired becomes pottery.  Wood when burned gives warmth on a cold night.  Fire can also kill. Jesus knew that his message was like fire!  It would warm and nourish us, but it could also lead to conflict and the dissolution of relationships.  It must never be taken for granted, nor left unattended in our hearts!