Radical

Luke 12:49-53

          ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! ⁵¹Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! ⁵²From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³they will be divided:

father against son
   and son against father,
mother against daughter
   and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

            Jesus was a revolutionary. He upset the apple cart, threw the money changes out of the temple, challenged the religious authorities of his own faith, asked to embrace enemies and outcasts. Why, he sort of looks like a hippie if you believe the image Hollywood has presented. In actuality, he probably looked more like a typical arab / middle eastern man, dark olive skin and on the short side. Def not Hollywood; not the 'hunk' that hangs from a crucifix in many a Catholic church. But I digress.

            Jesus knows exactly what he is doing. He sees what is wrong and tries to point us in the proper direction. He lives examples of how we should love. Sadly, the religion he started has returned to its roots in the Pharisees in both rules and demeanor. 

           What did he hope to accomplish?  Certainly to remind us that we are children of God. Certainly that we are loved - u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y.  Certainly that we should be whom we were created to be, be proud of it and embrace it. And certainly, know that it is what is inside our hearts that makes us holy. And lastly, I think that we are to share all that we have with everyone, both spiritually (who we are) and materially (what gifts we have been entrusted with ).

          If we do these things, uhhh it makes people uncomfortable.  People think there is a motive, people are uncomfortable accepting love from others when they have difficulty loving themselves or that they are even worthy. These radical ideas really do cause division.

           On a personal level, I know coming out , accepting who I am, caused division. People I thought would be supportive were not. Others that I never knew become best friends and a part of a new larger family. 

             But on any level, accepting  the love that Christ wishes us to have and sharing that lo with others is upsetting to some.  I say, go out and cause a ruckus!