A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:51-56)
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.
As Luke tells us that Jesus “resolutely determined” to travel to Jerusalem, the first reading from the prophet Zechariah makes clear why Jesus made that his intention before his passion, death, and resurrection: God came to be with his people. Speaking through Zechariah, the LORD says: “Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD.” But the people in a Samaritan village would not welcome him. Faced with rejection, James and John, the Sons of Thunder, ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven. But Jesus came to serve and die on the cross for many; he does not force the fulfillment of his mission on the Samaritans. Luke tells us: “Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.”
God, as the psalmist says, you are with us and invite all of us to implore your favor. Jesus teaches me through his rebuke of James and John. Your invitation to be with you isn’t accomplished as worldly power would accomplish it, through force. Instead, Jesus journeys to another village to find his way to Jerusalem. He finds another way to accomplish your will by dying on the cross. Luke doesn’t say what words of rebuke Jesus spoke to James and John. Was it a silent rebuke—eyes on them—as he led them to seek another way, to learn through mercy the way to their eternal home? Lord, help me today be resolutely determined to recognize and do your will.
From the responsorial psalm: “They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: ‘This man was born there.’ And all shall sing, in their festive dance: ‘My home is within you.’ God is with us.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.