HOMILY FOR 26TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—YEAR B
HOMILY FOR 26TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “LORD, DO YOU WANT US TO CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN TO CONSUME THEM?”
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
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.
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“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” With these words, St. Luke begins a new section in his Gospel. Jesus ends His Galilean ministry and begins His journey to Jerusalem where He will undergo His passion – “His being taken up.” His crucifixion is also described as “being lifted up.” And St. John calls this His “glory.”
And on His way towards Jerusalem, Jesus is “resolutely determined”. He is the Suffering Servant that the Prophet Isaiah speaks of: “I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame” (Is 50:7).
Flint is a very hard sedimentary rock. It can be used to start fire because it produces sparks when struck against another hard object such as steel. Setting one’s face like flint means to stand strong and firm in the face of opposition and adversity, knowing well that these sufferings are worthwhile in view of his final goal.
Jesus is completely certain, according to the heavenly Father’s plan, that it is in Jerusalem that everything will happen in the fulfillment of His mission – His suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. That is why, His ‘face is set like flint’: absolutely nothing can distract and stop Him from His ascent to Jerusalem.
Not even the Samaritans who were particularly hostile to Jews. They refused to let Jesus and His disciples cross Samaria, knowing that their intention was to go to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. In the face of such hostility, James and John, the sons of Thunder, were furious and they suggested: “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” But Jesus did not accept this idea. After rebuking the brothers, they proceeded to another village.
Jesus is aware of the many enemies that are plotting against Him. Despite all His good deeds and kind words, they are hell bent on destroying Him. But He does not wish them any harm. His is the way of compassion, forgiveness and love for all people, even His enemies. And this requires more strength and courage to do so.
The Gospel today invites us to reflect on discipleship. Being a follower of Christ gives us an entirely new identity. We become God’s children and so, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). And while in this world, we are “exiles and aliens” (1Pet 2:11), journeying towards our true home, the heavenly Jerusalem.
This, therefore, gives us two important lessons. First, let us follow the example of Jesus. His face is set like flint towards Jerusalem, in complete and unconditional obedience to the will of the heavenly Father. Like Jesus, may we not run away from the cross, but be firm and courageous in following Him through all challenges and difficulties in life, knowing that this leads us to certain victory and glory.
And second, to be able to do this, the Apostle Paul reminds us: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). The brothers James and John, by their desire to destroy the Samaritans, are obviously conforming themselves to the standards and ways of the world. But as true followers of Jesus, we should instead be imbued with His spirit of humility, compassion, love and forgiveness.
Needless to say, we are always expected to think, act and live according to our status as God’s children. A bumper sticker gives us something to think about: “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
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