Chapter 12 is an awesome message about the priorities for the Kingdom. There is no peace without cost to complacency; no serenity if there is compromise with the criteria for the Kingdom.
Recall the covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham was told to cut three animals in half—a heifer, a goat and a ram. A smoking torch passed between the halves as a sign of the sealing of the covenant of blood. In the same manner is the fire of Jesus’ passion for the covenant of the Kingdom expressed. The flame of his presence is to pass between the divisions that Jesus says will exists within families, spelling out in detail the oppositions that are to come.
Reflect upon the quality of the peace that exists in your household. What is it that tends to divide you? Are there aimless arguments that stem from pride, or the issues of the eternal Kingdom?
What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Dividing for deeper peace v. 51
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.
For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 