Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on, in one house five will be divided: three against two, and two against
three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against
daughter and daughter against mother; motherin- law against her daughter-in-law,
and daughter-inlaw against her mother-in-law.”

Raflect

“Make a wise decision.” A wise stewardship ends with a wise decision. Today’s Gospel
invites us to decide and make a stand for Jesus. We may begin by reflecting on the point
that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (cf. Isa 9:6). However, the Gospel for today tells of
Jesus as the one who brought division on earth. What is the meaning of this? We may
further reflect on the point that the kind of division which is referred to in today’s Gospel
does not result from Jesus’ original intention. Jesus intends to bring peace on earth but
the decision that people have to make may bring division among themselves. The Greek
verb used in v. 51 is didōmi “to give,” which may also mean “to cause to happen.” Hence,
the division being referred to in this context results from the decisions people make
whether to accept or not to accept Jesus. Luke, in the beginning of his Gospel, already
hinted on the fact that Jesus “is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel and a sign
to be contradicted.” (Lk 2:34) People have to make their decisions as to accept Jesus or
not. Let us make our decision and stand for Jesus.

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