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TODAY'S MEDITATION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011 - TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Zechariah 8:20-23
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the
inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us
go to implore the favor of the LORD; and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."
Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in
Jerusalem
and to implore the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days
ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes,
take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,
"Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark
10:45
When the days for Jesus to be taken up
were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent
messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare
for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination
of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they
asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they
journeyed to another village.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
In today's Gospel story, Jesus is focused on his goal, Jerusalem, where he will
complete his mission on earth to redeem humanity. As he journeyed with his
disciples it was necessary for a couple of them to go ahead to the next village
to prepare a place where they might spend the night, or even a couple of days.
As they were approaching a Samaritan town, however, hospitality was not offered
to them because they were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
Samaritans and Jews did not get along with each other. John and James want to
call down fire from heaven to punish the Samaritans for their lack of
hospitality. If we are honest with ourselves we will admit that there have been
times when we would have liked to call down fire from heaven to punish someone
who may have insulted us or injured us in some way. Perhaps someone even made
fun of us because we were too religious. A little Armageddon for such a person
shouldn't be too much to ask.
Jesus reacts by rebuking the two disciples and then moves on to the next
village. This is a lesson for us. While it is natural to want to get some pay
back for insults or injuries, it is not the way of the disciple of Christ.
Jesus is focused on his mission and will not let a little inhospitality knock
him off course. He stays focused and moves on. When we are the target of
insults or injuries we, too, must remain focused on our goal of discipleship and
move on. If we return injury for injury we only double the injury. If we
return fire for fire everyone gets burned. The little insults and injuries we
endure during our day to day living should not be allowed to distract us from
our journey of faith. If we remain focused on Christ we can move on and
continue our progress toward the Kingdom of God.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lord Jesus, we are often like John and
James, ready to punish those who insult us. Help us to be more like you,
focused on the Kingdom of God, so that we can move on with our journey of faith.
Deacon Ed
PAST MEDITATIONS
Friday, July 8 Monday, July 11 Our Lady of Sorrows Thursday, September 22 Friday, September 23