GOSPEL REFLECTION Gospel: Luke 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. 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. The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at dailyscripture.net 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? Wouldnt 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 arent we often tolerant for the wrong thing or for the wrong motive? Christian love seeks the highest good of both ones neighbor and ones 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. The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2014. Their website is located at presentationministries THE SLEEP BOOK For then I should have lain down and been tranquil; had I slept, I should then have been at rest. Job 3:13 Jesus wants to be Lord of our sleep. He plans to use our sleep both to advance His kingdom and to bless us with sufficient rest. Satan also has plans for our sleep, since it occupies nearly one-third of our lives. In addition to the sleep we lose through the activity of children or neighbors, Satan attempts to rob us of more sleep by tempting us to worry (see Eccl 5:11), fear (Sir 40:5-7), or anger (Eph 4:26ff). When we need to fall asleep, we instead lay awake and fret. This gives the devil a chance to operate on us (see Eph 4:26-27) and further his sabotage of Gods kingdom. We really need discernment in the area of sleep. At times we are called to do without some sleep. The writer of 2 Maccabees spent many sleepless nights writing the Word of God (2 Mc 2:26). Like Jesus, we can be called to intercede and pray long into the night (Mt 14:23, 25). At other times, we sleep when we should be attentive to the Lord (see Mt 26:40ff; Prv 6:9ff; 1 Sm 3:1ff). Conversely, we often are called to sleep, but we wont. We stay up late entertaining ourselves or working for perishable food (Jn 6:27) when God our Father wants to provide it for us. It is vain for you to rise early, or put off your rest, you that eat hard-earned bread, for He gives to His beloved in sleep (Ps 127:2). If we give our lives to the Lord and live by His teaching, He will tell us: When you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet (Prv 3:24; see also Prv 19:23; 1 Sm 2:8). In His peace, we gratefully respond: As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for You alone, O Lord, bring security to my dwelling (Ps 4:9). Sleep in heavenly peace. Prayer: Jesus, may I sleep soundly in lifes storms (Mt 8:24-25). Promise: Jesus firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem. Lk 9:51 Praise: St. Jerome spent four years in the desert, learning Gods Word in solitude and prayer.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 01:46:37 +0000
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