The Dangers of the Culture of Fire

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 26th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 9:51-56*

*First Reading : Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23*

*The Dangers of the Culture of Fire*

*1) The call to fire From Heaven*

Fire is something which burns or destroys something. It will consume whatever it gets 

As Jesus as His disciples were passing through Sameria, in order to go to Jerusalem, the people of Sameria didn't welcome either Jesus or His disciples

To this attitude of the people of Sameria, the Disciples of Jesus became angry.

Their anger is seen in their attitude. Thats why they ask Jesus, *“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?*

*2) It is an attitude of taking Revenge*

The whole scene can be viewed from the point of view of Revenge

Since they were not welcomed, the Disciples became angry and they wanted to take revenge on those people 

The method of taking revenge would be destroying them completely through the fire 

*3) The Culture of Fire*

The Culture of fire is very much seen in our life and around us 

The culture of fire is nothing but, wishing something bad to our enemies

It is nothing but asking God to destroy our enemies

This culture of fire is very much seen in every aspect of our life 

*4) Forgiveness and the Culture of Fire*

Jesus never promoted the culture of fire. That is why He rebuked his disciples who, were influenced by the culture of fire 

Jesus always practiced the culture of forgiveness and not the culture of fire 

Jesus also teaches us to adopt the culture of forgiveness and not the culture of fire 

*5) The culture of fire destroys everyone*

Fire does not make any partiality. It consumes every one 

So when fire comes down from heaven it will consume every one. 

So the revenge does not save or do anything good. The ultimate result is destruction. 

*6) My life and the culture of Fire, culture of Forgiveness*

Life swings between the culture of fire and the culture of forgiveness

It depends on how we manage our life 

As disciples of Jesus, we must give priority to the culture of forgiveness and need to fight against the culture of fire 

The purpose of our life can be achieved only through the culture of forgiveness and not through the culture of fire

If so where do I stand? Is my life dominated by the culture of forgiveness or the culture of fire??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*