A newly ordained priest was assigned to a small church in a beautiful rural community well-known for its horses, agriculture and light industry.
In his first sermon he condemned gambling, especially betting on horses. The sermon was not well received. “Father,” a parishioner explained, “this whole area is known for its fine horses. Many of us make our living breeding racehorses.”
The next Sunday the priest spoke on the evils of smoking. Again, the sermon was poorly received because many parishioners grew tobacco. The third week he preached on the evils of drinking only to discover that a major distillery was one of the town’s largest employers.
Chastised for his sermon topics, the frustrated young priest asked, “Well, what am I to preach about?” An elderly woman spoke up and said, “Father, preach about those countries on the other side of the world. They are over 4,000 miles away!”
There are some homilies that people do not want to hear because they hit close to home. Messages that contradict our personal beliefs and behaviors or conflict with our comfortable lifestyle are upsetting.
Both Jeremiah, in today’s first reading and Jesus, in the gospel, were incredibly good at preaching those kinds of truths. Their messages could be radical, challenging and even divisive. They both earned a reputation for preaching the kind of sermons that people did not want to hear. Telling the truth can be hazardous to one’s health.
Our first reading was a clear sign of what could happen. The prophet Jeremiah spoke the truth by cautioning the civil and religious leaders about their injustices towards the poorest of the poor. Because of this, Jeremiah was thrown into a septic tank and left there to drown in the muck and mud.
I doubt if any of us are at ease with today’s gospel in which Jesus speaks of division within families. Is anyone comfortable with what Jesus has to say today? He sketches a horrible concept of a divided family.
Personally, I am not comfortable with the gospel this morning. I am not comfortable with this image of Christ.
I want Christ to bring peace into our homes, not division. I like a Christ who is a promoter of peace and harmony. I need a Christ who avoids confrontation and is always pleasant, compassionate, caring and loving!
I like the portrait of Jesus with gentle eyes, a shapely beard, clean clothes and a pious appearance. But I am very much aware that the image of a soft and sweet Jesus is one-sided.
Jesus asks us a very thought-provoking question, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?”
Take your time before you answer this question. Do you really think that Jesus came to establish peace on the earth? The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.”
If you listen closely to the gospel this morning you will say, “No, Jesus did not come to establish peace but division.”
But if you remember Jesus’ farewell speech as found in John chapter 14 verse 27: “I leave you peace; my peace I give to you …” you are inclined to say yes, Jesus did come to promote peace.
To resolve the dilemma of whether Christ came to bring peace or division, it is important to remember that the peace Christ offers is different from the peace that the world offers.
The peace that the world offers can only bring temporary comfort. The world’s peace is fleeting and changes with circumstances, leadership, the stock market, corrupt governments, disappearing rain forests, lack of food or healthcare, broken families and more.
World peace tries to fix these problems, which are symptoms of greed and selfishness.
World peace, for example, could be considered the absence of wars. But even if the guns are silenced and the battlefields grow flowers, it would be a temporary peace.
Would we have peace if we stopped oppressing the poor, neglecting the elderly, abusing the environment, lying, cheating or stealing? Would we have peace if no one was prejudiced or suffered from an addiction? Would we have peace if all domestic violence and mass shootings ended?
The peace that Jesus promoted is so radically different from the peace of the world. The peace Christ offers is permanent and secure. The peace of Christ is the assurance that God is always with us.
The peace of Christ is the absence of resentments and suspicions. The peace of Christ is a total trusting in God. The peace of Christ is cultivating the old-fashioned virtues of love, humor and compassion.
The peace of Christ is the baptism of fire.
Maybe the only way we ultimately find Christ’s peace is through the struggles and pain of human suffering, which leads to gratitude, love and peace.
The peace of Christ is based on the principle of love and forgiveness. Do you want Christ’s peace? Forgive those who offend you. Do you want the lasting peace of Christ? Love those who hate you.
What is the peace of Christ for you? Pray and practice peace daily.
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