After five weeks of work at the General Chapter, I returned to Poland. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that I have just finished working on the closing conference of Barbara, our new Superior General, because there is talk about fire there, which plays a major role also in today’s Gospel. „I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12,49) – these words Jesus speaks to us, and they may even sound frightening. Fire is a great force – it can burn, but it can also cleanse and put into motion, give warmth and life.
I am glad that for a week now I can be in Marki, because just recently this was my house and important things happened here during my novitiate. I am also glad that today once again I could hear the words of Fr. Martin, which once again allowed me to see more. I am deeply convinced that as Christians we are called to be happy. Jesus wants joy and love for us and not sacrifice. The first question we should ask ourselves is, „Am I happy and joyful?”. The second step, however, is more subtle, because it leads to the question: „Am I not too comfortable?”. The Pope spoke of swapping our couch for a pair of shoes, but there’s more to it than that. Today’s Gospel speaks of division between people and it doesn’t mean we should argue with others, but that we have to be such witnesses, who allow ourselves to be unpopular, perhaps even rejected, who will have fire in our hearts and will not hide it from the world. This division must take place in our own heart, so it will be open as the Heart of Jesus. Slowly I begin to understand why this was one of the favorite Gospels of Madeleine Sophie.
Words from the closing conference, which remained in my heart were the ones talking about fire. That we should „not be afraid of the fire, to be tenders of the flame, to risk the possibility of being burned from time to time”. We have to be „women of fire and sowers of a new life”. Our life should not be safe and comfortable, but a passionate proclamation of the truth about God’s Love and the Good News of salvation.
