Homily for Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus' words to His disciples in our Gospel today are a proclamation of the kingdom as a refining and purifying fire. Such refining does not come easily; it requires absolute honesty with oneself, a willingness to change what we need to change and discard those things we need to eliminate from our lives to open our hearts, minds, and souls to the redemptive love of God. This process of purification can even cause discord among family members and friends.

Let us pray that we will have the resolve, courage, and faith it takes to allow ourselves to be transformed by the refining fire of God's love.