Bringing Fire to the Earth

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15C)

Isaiah 5.1-7; Hebrews 11.29—12.2; Luke 12.49-56

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

 

“Jesus said, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! . . . Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!’”

 

Great! I come back from Sabbatical and am immediately confronted with having to preach on some of Jesus’ more controversial words. To preach on a message that is completely contrary to who we view Jesus to be. Who we profess Jesus to be. Who we know Jesus to be. It’s enough to make me want to head back out the door and back to Sabbatical. To go back to a more peaceful and comfortable time where I did not have to deal with controversy, with difficult Gospel messages, with the challenges they present.

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