FIRE OF LOVE

All baptized Christians are called to be prophets, kings
and priests. Prophets because we are called to speak
the Word of God, a Word that breathes love. Kings because we are servant leaders. Priests because we are
mediators between God and man. We share in the
priesthood of Christ. In the initial stage of his prophetic
ministry, Jeremiah was hesitant and scared to speak the
Word of God. But with God’s grace, he became bold,
courageous and fearless. The author of the letter to the
Hebrews (Heb 12:1-4) reveals that Jesus is the leader,
pioneer and perfecter of faith. He is the prophet of
prophets. He is the Logos, the Word of God. He reveals
like no other what it means to speak God’s Word boldly
and to face the consequences of having spoken such a
Word. Jeremiah and Jesus are fearless in speaking the
Word of God because they are confident that God is
with them every step of the way. In the Gospel of Luke
(Lk 12:49-53), Jesus speaks of fire and division. Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” It is the fire of God’s love, the Holy Spirit. It is the fire that destroys what is evil and purifies what is good. It is the fire of purification and judgment. God’s fire is not a fire of destruction. Just like the burning bush that Moses saw. He was amazed that the bush was not consumed. It is the presence of God and God’s fire brings healing, new life, transformation and  conversion. God is the God of the living not of the dead. Therefore, a prophet is on fire to speak the Word of God. Jesus said: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” This is strange because Jesus is the Prince of peace. The first word that He said to the apostles when He was risen was shalom, peace. It is because peace demands rejection of all that is opposed to Christ. Peace demands rejection of all that is incompatible with the Gospel. Only Christ is our peace and we experience peace when we remain in His love and keep His commands. Jesus brings division because we have to make a choice, or we are for Christ or against Him. There is no neutrality. Not choosing is itself a choice against Him. A prophet therefore is a sign of contradiction. He is called to go against the current and puts Christ above all else.