A homily on Luke 12:49-53: When Faith in Jesus Divides (17-8-25)

A  simple homily on Luke 12:49-53, that explains how following Jesus can cause division, even within families, yet leads to lasting peace. (17-8-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

Once in a wealthy and prestigious home, a young man fell in love with the teachings of Jesus and decided to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. However, traditionally, his family had been following another faith for many generations, and they were proud of their traditions, and they had their own worship centres. When the young man revealed his plan to embrace Christianity, his parents, friends, and relatives were furious. His brothers and sisters stopped speaking to him. For many months, he ate alone, worked alone, and lived in silence within his own house as an alien. Yet, he remained faithful to the teachings of Christ, prayed every day, forgave his family in his heart, and continued to help them in small ways.  As time passed they noticed his patience, kindness, and joy, and slowly their anger began to soften. They still disagreed with him, but they could not deny the goodness in his life. He had chosen Jesus over comfort and that choice, though painful, became a witness.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:51). At first this may sound strange, because we know He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus warns us that following Him will cost us something. It may be friendships, reputation, comfort, or even family relationships. But this division is not about hatred—it is about love for Him above all else. When we choose Him first, we refuse to compromise our faith just to keep others happy. This is the fire He came to bring—the fire of truth and love that burns away lies and fear. Fire always burns whatever is thrown into it. But if it impurities, it serves best. So, let the cravings, temptations, wishes and wants be burned in the fire of love, Fire of Holy spirit. But to overthrow human temptations is not easy. The battle always happens between human self and divine self. Once the divine self is stronger , you will be powerful enough to overcome the temptations. Let us be like the wise man who built the house above the rock and don’t fluctuate like the one who built over the sand and be washed away. 

Saint Thomas More knew this well. For years, he was a trusted friend and adviser to King Henry VIII. But when the king asked him to approve something that went against God’s law, Thomas refused. The friendship was broken. The king sent him to prison and later to death. Thomas More chose God over human approval, proving the words of Jesus: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). The struggle and cost we bear for Christ and faith is always valued by heaven. Even it appears foolish and painful, the joy that we earn while serving Christ overpasses all this hardships.

Saint Francis of Assisi faced a painful division in his own family. His father, Pietro Bernardone, was a wealthy merchant and wanted his son to follow in his business. But Francis had heard Christ’s call to live in poverty and serve the poor. Before the people of Assisi, Pietro disowned him, saying, “I no longer have a son like this.” Francis, in peace, replied that from now on he would say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”

Following Christ may sometimes mean misunderstanding in our own homes. Today, this can happen when we choose to be honest in business while others tell us to cheat, when we refuse to join in gossip, or when we keep Sunday holy though others treat it like any other day. It can happen when a young person answers God’s call to be a priest or a religious, and the family resists.

If we face such moments, let us remember that faithfulness is never wasted. Division for Christ’s sake is not a sign of failure, but a sign that His fire is burning in our hearts (Luke 12:49). And one day, the same love that seems to divide may become the seed that brings others to Him.

Lord let me focus on you beyond  divisions caused

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