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.
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.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.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.I used to think of this reading as simply one of the passages that tells us the travels of Jesus throughout His ministry. But I heard a homily once on this scripture, and I found it so interesting that I needed to record it here, and share it with you. I thought for sure my priest would talk about the basic movements of Jesus in His ministry, and how he was now moving into the last phase of his mission. But instead he spoke about what the words “resolutely determined” mean. He said that in Greek these word is more accurately translated as “has his eyes fixed upon.”
So what are Jesus’ eyes “fixed” on? The answer is the pascal mystery…, The passion and suffering of Good Friday, His death on the cross, and His ressurection and ascension into Heaven. Jesus knew that this all would soon begin. So Jesus at this time has come to understand that now is the time for His mission to come to completion. And because of His limitless love of us, and His wish to save us all from our slavery to sin, He has fixed his gaze, and resolutely determined that now was the time to complete that incredible act of sacrifice and selfless love.
What are things that we fix our eyes upon? Large purchases, educational goals, etc. These things all take time and persistence to fulfill, and just so with the pascal mystery. We cannot fathom the perseverance, and resoluteness that it took for God to die for us. Is there anything we do in our lives that is even slightly close to that kind of love? I would argue not, but there should be, and it takes the form of faith. We must always choose God over all things in this life, and we should determine to do it resolutely.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord, help me today to have the courage to do the things I must even if I don’t think that I can do them. Give me the strength to follow you.