Aldersgate UMC

Sunday, August 17, 2025

“Sign of the Times”

Pastor Sue McNicol

Luke 12: 49-56 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

⁴⁹ “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! ⁵² From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³ 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.”

⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago I said I often select scripture for our Sunday worship as outlined in the Revised Common Lectionary. This is in part, because if unites us as Christians exploring the same scripture reading across miles and miles, and through various denominations all on the same day. It also pushes me to prepare a message that I might otherwise elect to avoid. Talking about tough subjects and interpreting scripture that sounds angry, or tense is not my favorite thing. But here goes…another opportunity to grow and stretch! If all else fails, we’ll still have the beautiful melody of Kama and Fred’s “Peaceful Easy Feeling” playing in our heads.

If we pause for a moment and absorb what we heard in today’s gospel reading (sometimes known as the practice of Lectio Divina – divine reading), a few key words likely surface for us – FIRE and DIVISION.

Let’s explore these two themes a bit further. Jesus says, “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze.” Words like that can create fear and angst for us living in Western Montana in the dry fall season. What exactly is Jesus saying? Is the fire Jesus brings a fire of baptism, like the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, inflaming followers to mighty works? Or maybe he’s referring to a refiner’s fire which is a biblical metaphor for spiritual purification and transformation. Or maybe it’s a literal reference to the process of refining metals under intense heat so that the impurities are burned away, leaving a more pure and valuable substance. Lord only knows what the connotation of this descriptive passage might be. But what I do hear, loud and clear, is that Jesus is all in and he means serious business!!!

Here's something we do know – fire destroys anything that is temporary and refines anything that is durable. Is Jesus instructing his followers to avoid attachment to things that are temporary and follow His way, which lead to something that endures forever?

If the passage about fire is not concerning enough, the scripture goes on to say, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Great – he’s threatening fire AND DIVISION. Sounds like a complete disaster if you ask me. Division often carries with it painful memories and hurt, accusations and judgment. We seem to be walking through the messiness of scripture without a map. Perhaps this feels similar to how we navigate the messiness of our lives and circumstances. It’s risky to make room for “hot topics” especially if we’ve experienced generational conflict, oppression or ridicule. I’m a peacemaker and one who shys away from conflict. I can “awfulize” about something even before I’m aware of the outcome. “What if so-and-so gets upset? What if I let you down? What if I screw it all up?” This reminds me of a “what if” from long ago.

At the age of seventeen I came to my parents and shared that I wished to be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Since I was not brought up in any religious tradition, they were not opposed to my decision…BUT, they did request I tell my grandmother before proceeding. My grandma was a devout Presbyterian and I’m sure my folks thought she may be surprised and upset by my decision. While visiting my grandma in Great Falls, I mustered up the courage to meet with her and share my news. We were seated at her kitchen table when I finally said, “Gram, I’m going to be baptized next month…as a Catholic.” She didn’t say a word; she simply stood up and walked out of the room. My first thought was…” Oh God, my parents were right…she’s not taking this well.” But after a few minutes, she returned to the kitchen and placed an ivory rosary on the table in front of me.

She then told me what fond memories she had as a child watching her grandmother pray the rosary. I was shocked (and overcome with relief). I had no idea there was a Catholic connection, of sorts, in my family. From that day on, my grandma always requested to attend “my church” (as she called it) when we were together. I have many special memories of sharing Mass together and discussing what we loved about our faith traditions. Some of my deepest spiritual experiences were formed through our common bond.  

Sometimes what we perceive as a divisive subject and conviction may actually become a connecting link that just hasn’t been explored and discussed enough to allow us to find common space. Interpreting the present time (the time outlined in Luke’s gospel) is precisely why Jesus has lost all patience. He knows what lies ahead for him and he speaks from a place of urgency. Let’s not gloss over some harsh realities - families may experience division and unreconcilable differences. And by families, we speak of different forms – our family of lineage/ancestry, our family of faith, and our family of choice/community we build over time. All are prone to division and as we know, all have spurred war and destruction in times past and present. Likewise, all have the capacity to shift in a different direction – away from destruction and toward resolution.

I love how Jesus references weather conditions as an instructional tool in today’s scripture. He talks about rising clouds signaling rain, and south winds preceding scorching heat. Then he delivers the real gut-punch when he says, “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time” It’s so much easier to talk about the weather than talk about the world of hurt happening all around us. Jesus isn’t name-calling (when he says, “you hypocrites, you fools”), he’s naming what is happening in real time…something we must do as well.

Our United Methodist Order of Worship includes a time for Confession, Pardon and Peace, something we haven’t included in our worship services here of recent. But perhaps we should consider bringing this practice back into our community, our hearts and our world. An act of confession is an opportunity to ask for forgiveness and welcome tenderness, something I certainly need more of in my life – perhaps others do as well. On occasion I lead worship at Granite County Parish (churches in Drummond, Hall and Philipsburg) and I love the Prayer of Confession and Peace included in their services. I invite you to pray it with me:

Lord, forgive us when we see your miracles all around us and still doubt your power, presence and love. Forgive us when we treat this world and each other with careless indifference or with malice. You, who has created the most wonderous things from the smallest particles, can create in our hearts confidence and hope. From our lives you can fashion the most delightful miracles that can serve you through acts of mercy and kindness. Free us, Lord, to receive your blessings and, having received them, to find the numerous ways in which we can serve you. Heal our wounded hearts. Hear our cries. Come to us and bring us home. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s challenging scripture reading falls in the middle of Luke’s gospel – a gospel with bookends focused on peace. Luke Chapter 1 tells us, “Jesus will guide our feet into the way of peace.” And the final chapter, Luke 24 takes us along the Road to Emmaus where Jesus appears to followers and offers a benediction of peace. It’s my hope that we too are enveloped by Christ’s peace even within times which feel divisive and unsettling. There’s real spiritual wisdom in Luke’s gospel. When disaster is about to strike, we do what we can to save ourselves and those we love. Jesus is suggesting we do even more. We are called to confront our shortcomings, as a path toward growth (not guilt), and to stand with those deemed unworthy. It takes selflessness (and courage) to proclaim this unconditional and unbounded love of God is for all. And it takes a boatload of faith to offer a benediction of peace to a world in the throes of fire and division.

As followers of Christ, we have work to do. We can see hope in our history while finding the courage and the voice to work for the rebirth of freedom and justice. Obtaining that peaceful easy feeling takes commitment, a commitment toward building “solid ground, holy ground” here on earth. May we build solid ground worthy of God love and grace. Amen.