Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

One sister once said to me, “there is nothing in this world that would ultimately satisfy you. This can be a hard pill to swallow.” In this week’s gospel, Jesus ask us “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:51).

Reading the gospel is seeing myself in the mirror. It reveals blind spots I am unaware of. Our God mentor us, warn us, and love us through His words because we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

In our interactions with our most intimate loved ones, we become God’s instruments to reflect His great love, which may include chastise. “For whom the Lord loves, he disciplines” (Hebrew 12:6). 

As Father Carlos once said during one mass on the Feast of St. James, “What if Jesus wants to bless you through tears.” Though my finite brain cannot grasp His plan for me, but I put my trust and obedience in Him. Jesus, I trust in you. In the same way Job trusts and praises God during his darkest hours, we emulate Jesus at Golgotha with everlasting gratitude, gladness, and grace.