In this striking and uncomfortable Gospel, Jesus declares, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” These words challenge the image of Jesus as a purely peaceful figure. The fire he speaks of holds a double meaning: it is both an instrument of judgment and the gift of the Spirit. Fire in Luke’s Gospel is symbolic of purification, transformation, and divine presence. Just as fire refines metal, so too does the fire of God refine hearts—burning away self-interest and false attachments.
Jesus goes on to say he brings not peace but division. This may seem confusing until we understand that the Gospel demands a radical choice. Choosing to follow Christ means embracing a way of life that can challenge the values of society—and even strain relationships within families. The “division” Jesus speaks of arises not from his desire to separate people, but from the inevitable tension between the values of God’s Kingdom and the values of the world.
Those who welcome the fire of the Spirit—who allow themselves to be transformed by love, justice, and truth—will find themselves at odds with a world that often resists change, justice, and humility. Following Jesus requires courage, especially when it brings conflict with those closest to us.
Yet this passage is not without hope. The fire Jesus longs to kindle is also the fire of Pentecost—the Spirit that empowers, enlivens, and renews. It is the fire that purifies hearts and sends disciples into the world with boldness and compassion.
Fr Stephen Berecz
