They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against daughter
and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughterin-
law against her mother-in-law.”
Read:
Prophet Jeremiah is persecuted for being faithful to his mission as a prophet. Witnessing the
Gospel is never easy; persecutions follow. But the model of Jesus must comfort and encourage us.
Jesus forewarns the disciples that his Gospel will not be pacific, but
will cause violent divisions among people.
Reflect:
How can the “Prince of Peace” say that he has come to bring division? Perhaps the key is in
John 14:27, where he says that the peace he offers is not the kind the world gives. It is not a
peace that is all about having no troubles or suffering or enemies. His peace is a “fiery peace”
that turns our world upside down. When one definitively opts for Christ, it often goes against the
grain of the world, causing rupture of relations. Stories abound of martyrdom that accompanied
those who chose Christ overworldly values and relationships. Yet, in the midst of all these, there
was an undefinable, indescribable,unearthly peace that reigned theirhearts. Christ offers such
peace which can survive violence and death; not the ephemeral, empty worldly peace.
Pray: Pray for the fire of Christ to illumine our hearts to find peace only in him.
Act: Read a book/watch a movie about a martyr saint.