Short Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 

Readings: Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10; Hebrew 12: 1-4; Luke 12: 49-53

Gospel Passage:  "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! (Luke 12: 49-50) 

Meditation:  Jesus spoke of his own Baptism of fire – his suffering, death and resurrection that others may have life.   It is the fire that burns yet purify.  The fire in our life is always the symbol of energy and zeal.  This is our zeal for the kingdom of God manifest in our love of God and Love of neighbors, especially the least. Hold on to that fire else we become a walking dead.  Cf. www.badaliyya.blogspot.com