Daily Gospel Reflection for October 22, 2026

Explore how Jesus's fiery love transforms us in today's Gospel reflection, encouraging personal growth and holiness on our unique spiritual journeys.

Today's Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

There is a Netflix series about glassblowing. The furnaces used are extremely hot, between 2,000 and 24,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot and quite fiery.

Jesus tells us He has come to “set the earth on fire.” In the Bible, fire is both destructive as well as purifying. It destroys what is not good and purifies what is. Just as blown glass is totally transformed by fire, we too are meant to be transformed. The process isn’t always easy and can be painful, especially when we resist and hold onto the things keeping us back from God’s will for our life.

Another interesting fact is that different colors and types of glass will melt at different temperatures. Artisans must be mindful of how long they keep the glass in and out of the furnace and how hot or cool the glass has gotten before adding additional colors.

This is how I understand the division Jesus speaks of. Each of us is on a unique journey with God. We have our own struggles, challenges, strengths, and willingness to become holy. We will “melt” at different rates. Of course this will cause division among us! A father will be in a different place along his journey of holiness than his son, a mother a different place than her daughter. All are called to holiness, but we may respond more or less willingly to the process.

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in Spe Salvi, “The holy power of His love, sears through us like a flame, enabling us to become totally ourselves and thus totally of God.” (par. 47) Let Jesus’s love burn through your life today, melting and shaping you into the person you were created to be, no matter how “melted” the others in your life are.

Ponder:

Is Jesus asking you to let go of something that is keeping you from responding more fully to His burning love for you?

Pray:

Dearest Jesus, Your love for me is overwhelming. Please help me to respond to You by letting go of what holds me back from giving myself wholly to you.

Pray Together:

Observe an unlit taper candle. Let it burn during a dinner or for an evening and discuss how the fire has forever changed the candle.

Copyright 2026 Kate Taliaferro