We are living in a world that requires us to choose at every moment of our life. Some choices might seem insignificant while some might be life changing. But at the end of the day, one must make a choice, be it as simple as choosing what to eat or a difficult one like life direction or vocation.

I remember when I was still discerning if I was going to apply to the seminary, I needed to face many choices. Will I just remain with my family and support them, pursue my master’s degree, grab the opportunity of another managerial training for promotion, or pursue my application to the seminary? During that time, I had a lot of “what-if’s” and questions that I could not get out of my head. I was worried about the things that has not happened yet. One of my priest friends advised me to stop worrying. He said it is a sign of lack of trust in God. “Instead of worrying”, I should “pray and entrust everything to Him.” I must also try to “sacrifice some things and just choose what the heart really desires.” Doing so, I should be able to choose that which would bring me inner peace.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing (Lk. 12:49).” The Gospel reminds us that our mission is to be like His, to set the earth ablaze and put a division between good and evil, God and sin. Let us always choose Him and His ways. If we do not have Jesus in our lives, people and things will never be enough because there is a darkness in our hearts that only his fire can vanquish.

By: Sem. Ryan Bernard C. Pablo

Today’s Gospel

Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”