"The Disturbing Gospel"

(Gospel Reflection from Fr. Joel Jason last Sunday 08-17-25 at The Feast)

⁴⁹I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! ⁵¹Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. ⁵²From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. - Luke 12:49-53

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The Gospel reading above may seem unusual to some people. As Fr. Joel Jason explains, we might even wonder whether it is truly the Gospel or just an ordinary reading—because in it, we encounter a God who came to bring division. A God who came to bring fire—not just any fire, but a fire that will blaze. But isn’t the purpose of Jesus to unite us and comfort us?

Fr. Joel clearly reminds us that Jesus did not come simply to be “everyone’s friend.” The very fact that He was nailed to the cross shows how His ministry stirred opposition. He challenged and re-evaluated the laws of His time, much to the displeasure of the Pharisees. Yes, Jesus brings peace, but His peace is not the kind the world understands. Because of this, many failed to grasp His mission. In short, Jesus is not just a God of comfort and ease—more often than not, He is also a God of judgment.

Fr. Joel highlighted three important points for us to remember:

1. Say “YES” to God, but don’t be a “yes-man.”

Jesus’ way of bringing peace disturbed many in His time, because people expected Him to act according to their own understanding, not realizing that God’s ways are higher than ours. In life, standing up for what is right often means making enemies —because you are challenging systems that go against God’s truth. As Fr. Joel put it: “If you haven’t made an enemy, you haven’t taken a stand.” We must never avoid doing what is right simply out of fear of opposition. Integrity must be more important than flattery.

2. Jesus came not to make us feel good, but to make us good.

Catholicism is not a “feel good” religion—and that is something to be grateful for. Too often, people justify wrongdoing by twisting one or two Bible verses to support their claims. But our faith is not about comfort; it is a religion of sacrifice, of facing difficult truths. Right is right, and wrong is wrong—no matter how much we try to sugarcoat it. Fr. Joel gave a clear example: sometimes people invite others to Mass because the priest is funny or entertaining. But if the only reason we attend is to “laugh” at the homily, then we might as well be in a comedy bar. The purpose of Mass is not entertainment, but transformation.

3. Be a passionist, not an arsonist.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says He came to bring fire—not to destroy us, but to purify us. His passion for the Word of God perfects us, preparing us to face Him. Our own inner fire must come from a passion to grow, to live in holiness, and to help others— not from burning down others’ dignity or welfare.

In Conclusion As much as the phrase “love is love” can be associated with Jesus, we must also remember that He is a God who judges. The goal of being Catholic is not to be comfortable, but to be challenged—to be disturbed when we stray, and reminded to realign ourselves with God’s plan.