Walking with Jesus: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, August 17, 2025

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53


Why did Jesus do what He did? Why didn’t He fill the people who came to Him with all the necessary “needs” — “help” — “changes of attitude” — “enthusiasm” — for loving that they needed? Why did Jesus have to die that horrible death? If God is a good and loving God, why didn’t He make loving an easier task to do? Why do I have to love those I just can’t stand?

It’s good for us to put Jesus’ life and teachings in perspective. Jesus came to tell us that God loves us and created each person to show that love — and Jesus witnessed that, promising that those who have faith and believe in Him will be welcomed into God’s home — heaven. God never promised an easy life. The central mystery of Christianity is that of the redemption of Christ, through suffering and death to His resurrection and glory. That is the way for each of us: no cross, no crown. Life is living love, and love is wonderful — especially when we are the recipients. But suffering comes in tragic ways, ending in death. Along the way there is hurt, violence, anger and revenge, done purposely to NOT show love. Jesus showed us the way of love: to persevere in loving, caring, forgiving and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the WAY ... the only way. I can follow or refuse; it’s my choice. So it is really I who choose heaven or hell. We don’t like to hear it that way, but God gave each person “free will” — I choose what I want. Am I following Jesus’ way or my way? Love is the only way. Those who live their own, self-centered way and depend only on their own strength and ability for everything have no need of God. They will lose their life, Christ, and heaven.

The readings help each of us to listen, reflect and apply Jesus’ love command to ourselves.

The events in Jeremiah take place during the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Judah’s capture is assured and Jeremiah recognizes that accepting this fate is the only means of survival and future redemption — so he counsels surrender. The princes don’t like this. Torn over which way to go, King Zedekiah sides with his princes and throws Jeremiah into a cistern. We witness the surprise of God’s  help: an unexpected intervention by an Ethiopian servant of no status gives a glimmer of hope. Though held captive in Babylon for quite a long time, Judah can still hope in future rescue when they least expect it. God’s plan is never to desert but to love and forgive. Do I give God a chance to love me? Do I even want it? Or is it always on my terms? How can I believe in this when I see Jesus’ death?

Paul is encouraging Christians whose experiences of persecutions tempt them to abandon their faith. He speaks of “… so great a cloud of witnesses …” [Hebrews 12:1] who continually show exemplary lives and are like athletes who are being encouraged by their spectators. The athletes set aside the harshness and burdens of training to compete effectively and stay centered, just as the Christians rid themselves of burdens and sin and stay centered on Jesus as they “run” the race of faith. Look at Jesus — running the race did not come easy. Only after enduring the cross and opposition from sinners did Jesus take His seat a God’s right hand. And Jesus promised heaven to us and gives us grace to attain it — if we want. Do I?

The picture Jesus paints of Himself in the gospel is troubling if we think of Him as a gentle Messiah, healer and spreader of peace throughout the world. He says He has come to cast fire on the earth and division at the very heart of human society. Why? He is telling us that radical change is needed. The world does not like the way Jesus told us that loving is the answer. The world wants their kind of love … love that gets even when things don’t go their way ... revenge when people disagree with their wants, dreams or plans. Jesus may have been a man of peace but the message He proclaimed was clearly divisive. Many of the demands He made cut to the core of the dominant social and religious customs and understanding of the time. AND they do the same today: Let the rich get richer; the poor have no place in our world. So they killed Jesus, hanging Him on a cross after beating Him savagely. “So there,” they thought, “our way is the right way” … and many believed this and still do today. Do I?

So I reflect on:

• If I am “running the Christian race,” what are the “burdens and sins” that discourage me on my race? Do I give into them too freely? Do I say to myself: “Well, God always forgives me?”
• |What encourages me and gives me strength and energy to “run the race?” How am I finding Christ?

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“There can be no compromise when it comes to putting God first in our lives, even if it means that those close to us will turn from us. Jesus came to bring the fire of love to the earth, a fire that makes huge demands upon us if we are to live as true followers of Jesus. He Himself lived under the shadow of the cross and, being human, it was very stressful for Him. We pray for the grace and courage to take up our own crosses and follow Him.”