Hebrews 11: 29 - 12: 2 Luke 12: 49 - 56

How ironic it is that we should have this reading today. In the papers and on the news, there are reports of wild fires burning out of control in many parts of the world. Woodlands and scenic places are being burnt, property being ravages by the flames. For some their whole livelihood is being destroyed, treasured articles succumbing to the destructive effect of the flames. In some cases lives are being lost as people try to escape or try to rescue valued possessions. There is also the cost to the wildlife.

‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!’ These words of Jesus will bring little comfort to those suffering from the wild fires. How can bringing fire and its destructive effects be something that the anyone could wish for? The Jews viewed Jesus the Messiah as a conqueror and king, the Messianic age as a splendid time. To them fire was a symbol of judgement. The coming of the kingdom was a time for judgement. The nations of the world would be judged by God according to one set of conditions whilst they, being Jews, would be absolved, looked down upon favourably.

Time and again we come across the expressions where fire is used to purify. The Bible contains references to the assayers fire when items of great value are being examined. It can be used when we face the time of judgement and stand before God having passed through the assayer’s fire. Do we stand there in one piece or are we just a pile of smouldering remains, a mere shadow of what we once thought we were.

In the laboratory or workplace fire is used to bring about change. Mercuric oxide, when heated, produces liquid mercury and oxygen. A change takes place. Here fire is being used to bring about this change. Something, which in its original state has little use, when treated by fire becomes a metal with many uses. Not so long ago found in almost every household as the mercury in a thermometer. Fire brings about change.

Not just does fire bring change but division too. Standing there at the time of judgement we have a choice to make. As the assayers fire passes over us do we perish or survive? Where does our love lie? This is a difficult point and one which can divide people and families. Time and time again people have had to decide where their love lies, in which direction. Is their love tied completely with their family or towards Christ?

The love that we have towards our family is a totally encompassing love. It is a love which surrounds every piece of them. It is a love which makes us one together. The love that a man has for a woman, when they are married, is a love which binds them together as tightly as a flame from a welder’s torch unites two pieces of metal. They are two individuals brought together, no longer as two pieces but now one.

The love that we have of God is another strong bond. Here we have a heavenly love. In acknowledging that all that we are, all that we have, and all that we will be, comes from God we see that we have a bond with God for he is the Maker of who we are. We are God’s children. He is our heavenly Father. Here is another family love. This is a bond as we are brought together with God through the love of his Son. It lies within us as an unquenchable fire. It is an undeniable bond as strong as any bond can be.

This brings us back to the start of this homily. I started with looking at fire and how it rages about potentially destroying everything in its path. We have seen how fire can be used to bring about useful items, particularly in the production of metals from ores dug from the ground. We have looked at the fire which burns within our heart as we surround ourselves with our family, people whom we hold dear to us, who are precious in our lives. We now acknowledge that fire that burns within us as we accept God into our heart as our Maker, Redeemer and Father figure.

Jesus came to the earth and brought with him fire. A fire which transforms all which it touches. A fire which has the ability to change who we are. The gospel reading finishes with the accusation that those who Jesus was speaking to did not know how to interpret what they saw about them. They could see Jesus at work in their midst but did not understand what they saw. If they had, they would have seen that the kingdom of God was on the way.

Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Almighty God,

who sent your Holy Spirit

to be the life and light of your Church:

open our hearts to the riches of your grace,

that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit

in love and joy and peace;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.