GOSPEL READING:
Luke 9:51-5651 When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; 53 but the people would not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
Meditation: Are you surprised to see two of Jesus'
disciples praying for the destruction of a Samaritan village? The
Jews and Samaritans had been divided for centuries. Jewish
pilgrims who passed through Samaritan territory were often treated
badly and even assaulted. Jesus did the unthinkable for a Jew. He
not only decided to travel through Samaritan territory at personal
risk, but he also asked for hospitality in one of their villages!
Jesus faced rejection and abuse in order to reconcile us
with God and one another
Jesus' offer of friendship was rebuffed. Is there any wonder that
the disciples were indignant and felt justified in wanting to see
retribution done to this village? Wouldn't you respond the same
way? Jesus, however, rebukes his disciples for their lack of
toleration. Jesus had "set his face toward Jerusalem" to
die on a cross that Jew, Samaritan and Gentile might be reconciled
with God and be united as one people in Christ.
Jesus seeks our highest good - friend and enemy alike
Tolerance is a much needed virtue today. But aren't we often
tolerant for the wrong thing or for the wrong motive? Christian
love seeks the highest good of both one's neighbor and one's
enemy. When Abraham Lincoln was criticized for his courtesy and
tolerance towards his enemies during the American Civil War, he
responded: "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my
friends?" How do you treat those who cross you and cause you
trouble? Do you seek their good rather than their harm?
Lord Jesus, you are gracious, merciful, and kind. Set me free from my prejudice and intolerance towards those I find disagreeable, and widen my heart to love and to do good even to those who wish me harm or evil.
Psalm 87:1-7
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [Selah]
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -- "This one was born there," they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." [Selah]
7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"It would be false to affirm that our Savior did not know what
was about to happen, because he knows all things. He knew, of
course, that the Samaritans would not receive his messengers.
There can be no doubt of this. Why then did he command them to go
before him? It was his custom to benefit diligently the holy
apostles in every possible way, and because of this, it was his
practice sometimes to test them... What was the purpose of this
occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of his
passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn
of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and
Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon him
when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness.
He did not want them to be offended when they saw him suffering.
He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly,
although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the
Samaritans' hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had
not received the messengers... For their benefit, he rebuked the
disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not
permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He
rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is
unmovable by anything like this."(excerpt from COMMENTARY
ON LUKE, HOMILY 56)
