TUESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Zechariah 8:20-23

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.” Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from nations of every language shall take hold of a Jew, grasping his garment and saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Psalm 87:1-7

On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.

Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia— “This one was born there,” they say.

And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in it”; for the Most High himself will establish it. The Lord records, as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”

Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”

Luke 9:51-56

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

(NRSVCE)

Meditation

In the readings, there are particular times and places that are mentioned wherein people are seeking God. Jesus, in the gospel, is moving toward Jerusalem toward his destination and the fulfillment of his mission.

Jesus is firm in his direction and he must rebuke his disciples when they lose their sense of direction and want to call fire down on the Samaritans for not receiving him. Jesus simply moved on to another village.

When we are turned away, are we able to move on? What do we do when things do not go our way? How often do we resort to criticism, complaining, or doubt?

We do not always handle things with faith. We can imperceptibly swerve, like the disciples did, into pride and vengeance in our concupiscence. We can have spiritual authority and confidence in our authority but do we ask God first how we are to use it? If not, pride steps in. We can lose our perspective and lose our mission in the process.

Jesus was not going to be moved from his mission. No matter what opposition he endured, what temptation, what feelings he may have experienced, he dwelt on the words of his Father. He acted on them alone.

We can all say things that we do not really feel. But we can’t feel things that we don’t already think. What thoughts do I allow into my head that are not of the Lord? How can I meditate and cling to the words of the Lord? Maybe I need to stop throughout my day and check in with my thoughts.

What is God’s will for me? How do I handle my life when my mission is opposed? Today, trust in God and ask Him for protection and perseverance for your goals and your personal mission in His timing.