I have Come to bring Fire on the Earth

 Today’s Gospel might catch us off guard. We are used to hearing Jesus speak of peace, mercy, forgiveness, and unity. But in this passage, He speaks of fire, baptism with suffering, and division—even among families. So what is Jesus saying here?

He is not speaking of violence or encouraging discord. Rather, He is revealing a deep spiritual truth:

The message of the Gospel is powerful, and it demands a response.

It confronts the human heart. It calls for change, for truth, for courage.

Jesus came to set the world on fire—with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of love, the fire of truth, and the fire of conversion. But fire doesn’t leave things untouched. It transforms. It purifies. It awakens.

And sometimes, when that fire begins to burn in someone’s heart, not everyone will rejoice.

Why? Because the Gospel challenges our comfort. It challenges sin, selfishness, injustice, and false peace. When someone decides to follow Christ sincerely, even loved ones may not understand.

That’s the “division” Jesus is talking about—not because He wants us to be separated, but because truth causes tension where lies have been comfortable. Light disturbs darkness.

This is not just an abstract idea. Many of us have experienced this personally.

Trying to live a life of faith—being honest, prayerful, chaste, just, forgiving—can sometimes create tension with friends, colleagues, even family. We may feel misunderstood, or even mocked.

But Jesus is telling us today: Do not be surprised. Do not be discouraged. This is part of the path of discipleship. He Himself faced this division. His own people rejected Him.

The cross was not a symbol of peace, but of radical love that divided those who accepted Him from those who refused.