Our reflection verse today is a misunderstood teaching of Jesus. He did not come to create division among people as the world would think. The fire that Jesus passionately longs to bring to this earth is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of Pentecost, namely, charity, joy, peace, goodness, understanding, and forgiveness. Fr. Rolheiser writes that this fire unites rather than divides. Moreover, in answer to his question: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth?” the answer is absolutely, without doubt. Jesus came precisely to bring peace to this earth, as the angels proclaimed at his birth. If Jesus’s fire to this earth is meant to unite us, why does it divide us so often? It is not Jesus’ message that divides; how we react to that message divides. Jesus is born; some respond with understanding and joy, while others react with misunderstanding and hatred. That dynamic has continued down through the centuries to this very day when Jesus is not only misunderstood and seen as a threat by many non-Christians but primarily when his person and message are used to justify bitter and hate-filled divisions among Christians and to justify the bitterness that invariably characterizes our public debates on religious and moral issues. From his birth until today, we have perennially used Jesus’ to rationalize our anger and fears. We all do it, and the effects of this are seen everywhere: from the bitter polarization within our politics to the bitter misunderstandings between our churches, to the hate-filled rhetoric of our radio and television talk shows, to the editorials and blogs that demonize everyone who disagrees with them, to the judgmental way we talk about each other inside our coffee circles. We must grant that there is a fire that divides. Yet, we must focus on the real intent of Jesus’ saying being that of love. This all-consuming fire of love brings about inclusiveness founded on respect, charity, and understanding that is part of the heaven on earth he speaks about. Jesus’ words should never be used to justify our bitterness or political message.