First Reading – Jeremiah. 38:1-2, 4-6, 8-10;
Second Reading – Hebrews. 12:1-4;
Gospel – Luke. 12:49-53
In the 1920s, an English adventurer named George Mallory led several expeditions to
conquer Mount Everest. He failed in his first, second, and even his third attempt. Many lives
were lost, and Mallory himself barely returned alive. When he came home to England, a
banquet was held in honour of the climbers. As Mallory stood to speak, he noticed two
pictures: one of himself and his fallen companions; the other, of the towering Mount Everest,
looming large like an unbeatable giant.
With tears in his eyes, Mallory turned toward the mountain’s picture and declared:
“Mt. Everest, you defeated us once, you defeated us twice, you defeated us three times. But
Mt. Everest, we shall someday defeat you – because you cannot get any bigger, but we can.”
That story isn’t just about climbing mountains – it’s about courage, perseverance, and faith.
And today’s Scripture invites us to that same kind of prophetic courage in living our
Christian convictions.
Living Courageously as People of Faith
Jeremiah in our first reading knew this struggle well. He spoke the word of God, and for that
he was condemned as a traitor, thrown into a muddy cistern to die. His courage cost him
dearly – but he would not abandon the truth entrusted to him.
Paul, in the second reading, urges the early Christians to keep running the race of faith even
when it meant being rejected by their own people. He reminds them, and us, that Christ
endured the Cross for our sake, and we must not grow weary in following Him.
And then there is Jesus Himself in today’s Gospel. He tells us plainly that the fire He came to
cast on the earth would cause division—even within families. Why? Because His love is not
lukewarm. His fire burns away what is false, unjust, and selfish. His Gospel is not
“inoffensive Christianity” – it is the radical call to love God above all and to live in sacrificial
love for others, even when it unsettles or disrupts the status quo.
Fire That Purifies and Ignites
On the day of our Baptism, we were given the light of Christ – a flame meant to burn brightly
until His return. At our Confirmation, that fire of the Holy Spirit was stirred up again within
us. The question is: are we letting it burn? Or have we let the flame go dim?
There’s an old proverb: “One who is on fire cannot sit on a chair.” If the Holy Spirit truly
burns within us, we cannot remain still, passive, or indifferent. Fire spreads – it warms, it
purifies, and it gives light. So must our faith.
Jesus longs for us to be people on fire:
- Fire that inflames hearts with compassion for the poor and hurting.
- Fire that purifies us of pride, bitterness, and sin.
- Fire that gives courage to speak and live the truth, even when it costs us.
Bringing It Home
My friends, every one of us has “Everests” in our lives – mountains of fear, doubt, division,
or sin. On our own, they may seem unbeatable. But with Christ, we can grow stronger, and
those mountains can be moved.
So let us ask ourselves today: - Do I live my faith in a way that sometimes unsettles or challenges the world around
me? - Do I carry the fire of Christ beyond this church, into my home, workplace, and
community? - Am I willing to let God purify me, even when it’s uncomfortable, so that my life can
shine more brightly with His love?
Mallory was right: the mountain can’t grow any bigger, but we can. And with the fire of the
Spirit, we will.
So. let’s rise today with courage. Let’s not be lukewarm Christians, but disciples set ablaze—
because one who is on fire cannot sit still.
Amen.