Set The Earth on FIRE! Reflections of a roman Catholic Woman Priest

I love today’s readings about justice and love in the Lectionary. Jesus tells us that he has come “to set the earth on fire! And he speaks about the divisions his teaching will possibly promote (Luke 12: 49-53). Our Christian faith is not a “mushy” faith where you believe what you like and all is always nice. Jesus asks difficult things of us- to follow him in setting the earth on fire! On fire with what? With the love of God- and with justice. Paul writing to the church at Ephesus reminds us that through faith in Christ we receive power and grounding in the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14-21). Our Psalm of the day reminds us that the earth is full of God’s goodness and that God loves justice and right (Psalm 33:1-19).

And so we ask ourselves today: what are the issues of our times and in our lives that must be solved with justice and love? Well, we know that God places a priority on the loving the poor of this earth. And this can only mean that we must act to ensure that the poor are poor no more! This is not answered by simply giving alms in the collection plate. How, indeed do we address structural poverty in our societies and cultures. How can we identify it and remedy it? What about raising minimum wage so that all labor is justly rewarded? What about making clear our views of the poor and of poverty-and eliminating all blaming of the poor for poverty. What about willingness to share our wealth through the tax system instead of rewarding the rich who need no reward simply for being rich. What about working side by side with those who work for a meager living and exposing the inequities of pay? I’m sure you can think of many ways to promote the equality and justice for which Jesus stands.

And what of dealing with our prejudices against people of other cultures that we do not know or understand? I have found that learning the beauty of other cultures stretches us in Jesus’ direction. How blessed we are when we strive to make both our lives and our churches steeped in people of other cultures.

I will leave it to you to identify issues of injustice and ignorance of others yet somehow judging that which we do not know. I will leave it to you now to follow Jesus in setting the world on fire with truth and justice and love.

Love and blessings,

Pastor Judy Lee, Roman Catholic Woman Priest

Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida

10/24/24