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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 Gospel of the Lord.
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Jesus is entering his final days.
He’s now headed to Jerusalem, where he will be handed over by Judas and killed.
It’s a critical moment in his life and ministry. So, Saint Luke adds a descriptive detail to help paint the picture: facing Jerusalem, Jesus becomes “resolutely determined.”
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We can imagine him staring off into the distance.
Knowing what’s in store for him, he stiffens his face, draws a deep breath in, and courageously puts one foot in front of the other.
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Long before he suffers physically, Jesus feels the weight of his cross, the weight of the isolation and rejection held in store for him.
Incredibly, this doesn’t sour his spirit; nor does it prevent him from doing good to others.
Consider what happens in today’s Gospel. Jesus is rejected by the Samaritans – the sworn enemies of the Jews – which is why the disciples want to send down fire upon them. But Jesus leaves them alone, and I’d imagine, wishes them well.
He continues his humble march towards Jerusalem, healing and forgiving the sick and sinful along the way.
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What might Jesus be teaching us?
That it’s possible to be kind and to do good to others at every moment in our lives, even when we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders.
Regardless of what our circumstances may be today, may we turn our gaze upon others and love them as Jesus would. Doing so not only works for their benefit; it also edifies our own spirit.
So, what’s something I can do for the Lord and his people today?
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Image credits: (1) How God Anointed, Amazon (2) Liberty Church (3) TheRadicalLife.org, Mother Teresa