A reading from the gospel according to Luke 9:51-56
51 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there,
53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
Reflection: Determined
Good News: Jesus and His disciples journeyed to another village despite rejection.
Pointers for reflection:
1. Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem where He will be arrested, tortured and crucified but on the third day, He will rise from the dead. That is His mission, to save us by His death and resurrection and nothing will stand on His way.
2. The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans is obviously strong. The Samaritans rejected Jesus and His disciples. On the other hand, the disciples wanted to take revenge and destroy the Samaritans through fire from heaven. Jesus rebukes His own disciples. Their ways are no His ways. The way of Jesus is love, patience and forgiveness, not revenge and violence.
3. Recall the parable of the Good Samaritan. Despite the rejection and hostility, Jesus wanted His disciples to learn inclusivity and good neighborliness. After all, that is part of Jesus’ mission – to unite all the people of the earth under His kingship.
4. Lessons to be learned from the gospel:
a) No amount of rejection should stop us from pursuing our mission to spread the gospel.
b) Violence and revenge has no place in the heart of every Christian.
c) Accept and love others even if they don’t belong to our race or group.
Commentary:
1. To go to Jerusalem in the gospel means that Jesus must undergo trial, death and resurrection.
2. The Samaritans and the Jews were hostile to each other for many reasons with both historical and religious background. Jesus wanted to unite all the people and taught His disciples to love one another.
