Luke 12:49-53 Aug 17-25 Do we fully understand the passion of Jesus?

This passage might seem surprising—even unsettling. Here, we don’t see the serene, peaceful Jesus, but instead a passionate figure intensely devoted to his mission and faith. I believe Jesus is speaking metaphorically when he refers to fire—using it to symbolize the fervor and intensity he expects in our faith lives. He was not passionate about a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely for their half-hearted devotion.

Jesus knew faith wasn’t always going to bring peace. History is full of conflicts between religious groups, and even today, faith can stir up internal struggles as we grapple with conscience and the demands of modern life. Jesus even warns of conflict within families—something that, sadly, many of us know: religious convictions can unite, but also divide families. Feeling unsupported by loved ones can be especially painful.

Transcript

Hello, and thank you for joining me on “A Psychologist Looks at Scripture.” I’m Peter Doherty—a Catholic priest and psychologist—and I’m delighted you’re here.

On this podcast, I draw from my background in psychology and scripture studies to provide fresh insights into the Gospels. The Gospels consistently invite us to deepen our faith, find new wisdom, and grow spiritually. There’s always something more to discover together.

Each episode runs about 7 to 10 minutes, and your questions and comments truly matter—they help this podcast grow and flourish.

Today, we’re focusing on the Gospel according to Luke 12:49-53, which will be read on August 17, 2025.

This passage might seem surprising—even unsettling. Here, we don’t see the serene, peaceful Jesus, but instead a passionate figure intensely devoted to his mission and faith. I believe Jesus is speaking metaphorically when he refers to fire—using it to symbolize the fervor and intensity he expects in our faith lives. He was not passionate about a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely for their half-hearted devotion.

Jesus knew faith wasn’t always going to bring peace. History is full of conflicts between religious groups, and even today, faith can stir up internal struggles as we grapple with conscience and the demands of modern life. Jesus even warns of conflict within families—something that, sadly, many of us know: religious convictions can unite, but also divide families. Feeling unsupported by loved ones can be especially painful.

Most of us have been taught about a gentle, meek Jesus. But let’s take a deeper look and we’ll discover occasions where Jesus is assertive and passionate. Remember the moment when he drove out the money changers from the temple, described in Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46, and John 2:13-16? In Mark 3:1-5, Jesus, upset by the lack of compassion shown by  the religious leaders, then heals a man’s withered hand even though the act ritually  defiled Him and broke with convention. His anger was directed at their hardness of heart.

Again, in Matthew 23, Jesus sharply criticizes the Pharisees and teachers of the law for hypocrisy and for making faith harder for others. In Mark 10:13-14, we see Jesus indignant when his disciples try to turn children away from him. There are also many passages where Jesus corrects with gentleness, reminding us that his passion often took quiet forms.

Jesus’s central passion was the commandment to love—loving God fully and loving others, including those we might consider enemies. Love, forgiveness, compassion, and selflessness are at the heart of his teaching. He called people to live with integrity and humility, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes, urging a transformation of heart rather than mere rule-following. Repentance, renewal, and a new spiritual birth were core to his message.

Ultimately, Jesus passionately invites everyone into a transformative relationship with God, marked by love, humility, justice, and faith.

On a psychological level, passion also plays a powerful role in our mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that when we pursue activities we care deeply about, we experience more positive emotions, greater life satisfaction, and a stronger sense of purpose. Passion can help alleviate depressive symptoms, relieve stress, boost self-esteem, and build resilience. Engaging passionately—in a balanced and healthy way—releases “feel-good” hormones, encourages creativity, and can help us connect with others.

In summary, passion is vital for both spiritual growth and mental wellbeing. Jesus modeled passionate love for God and people—not always loudly, but always authentically. 

As you reflect today, I invite you to consider: What are you passionate about? It’s okay if you’re not sure yet. If you’re uncertain, try asking a friend or family member what they see as your passion. For some, the chance to explore passion may not have come easily growing up. Sometimes, struggles with low self-esteem or depression can be linked to unrecognized or suppressed passion.

Thank you for being here today. Next week, we’ll explore a challenging Gospel passage from Luke where Jesus speaks about conversion and change—a tough message, but one full of wisdom.

If you’re new to the podcast, I invite you to check out previous episodes on major podcast platforms or YouTube. Regular YouTube listeners, please consider subscribing and sharing with friends who have an interest in Scripture. A new episode is released every Sunday, focusing on the week’s Gospel, and your feedback is always welcome and essential for the continued growth of this community.

A special thanks to Heather Patel Doherty and Richard Coulombe for their invaluable assistance in preparing each episode.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.

May God bless you abundantly.