Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Jesus presented His disciples with a difficult lesson. He told them that He had not come to bring peace but division in families and nations. Everyone must choose between Him and the world; there is no middle ground. Then, Jesus made a dramatic statement, saying He had come "to set the earth on fire!" In the Old Testament, fire was symbolic of purification, discernment, judgment, and a manifestation of the presence of God. St. John the Baptist warned that the Messiah was coming with "the Holy Spirit and fire" (Lk 3:16), and in Scripture, it is one of the most expressive symbols of the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit. In our Gospel reading, the fire Jesus referred to could be the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Or, His words might also refer to the refining and purifying fire that Jesus would light in His suffering, death, and Resurrection. In that series of events, He ignited and transformed the New Covenant people of God to pick up their crosses and follow Him in bringing about the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, the Holy New Covenant Universal Church.

Today's readings are relevant to us because we are making the same choices as Jeremiah, St. Paul, and Jesus's disciples in practicing our obedience of faith by serving the mission to which God has called us despite personal suffering. Are we willing to commit ourselves to Christ and His Church at the cost of our family relationships and secular standing, or do we deny Christ by valuing what is material, secularly acceptable, and temporal rather than eternal? The decision to submit to Christ may be painful for us in this life, but pain and suffering will count toward eternal salvation for both the ministerial priesthood (who bear the responsibility of teaching the Word of God and His Law) and the priesthood of believers. Our Divine Father will reward us, and our heavenly brothers and sisters will applaud us as they welcome us into the everlasting beatitude of Heaven.

00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Collect
00:57 - First Reading
02:18 - Responsorial Psalm
03:34 - Second Reading
04:50 - Gospel Reading
06:00 - Recommended videos to watch

Видео Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C канала Sunday Readings