Thursday 23 October 2025 - Father against son

Thursday 23 October 2025

Today is Thursday the 23rd of October, in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing, Encore un peu de temps: “In a little while I will make heaven and earth tremble. Then the One desired by all nations will appear. I will fill this temple with glory and to this place I will bring peace.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 12:49-53 ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they 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.’ This is quite a challenging passage. This might be especially difficult for you in the times we live in. Just take a moment to sit with the passage, noticing your response, and invite God into it... “... and what stress I am under until it is completed!” We might not often think of Jesus as under stress... imagine Jesus as he speaks these words... what do you see? How does he sound? As you listen to the passage once more, ask God to gift you something new, as you hear it afresh. Luke 12:49-53 ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they 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.’ Division over peace...what a confusing passage for us, especially when so many of us are experiencing divisions, oh so painfully in the world; in our own worlds...within our families and friendships. In the midst of this, you might like to end today’s prayer holding onto Jesus’ words from John’s Gospel: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.’ Speak with the Prince of Peace now about all that you would like to pray for today, from this prayer, and for the world. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen