JOURNEY TO THE FATHER
There
are certain events in our life that mark the development of our faith,
maturity, or our achievements. The Gospel today marks an event in Jesus’
life that was considerably important. It would mark a characteristic of
His person as one who was obedient to the will of the Father, who would
face in a manly way anything in His life. This is found in His
resolution to enter into the last phase of His journey, a significant
motif in the Gospel of Luke.
Jesus is well aware of the fate that awaits Him by going to Jerusalem.
This is the place where the prophets had given their lives for the cause
of God. It was the great city of God, once laid in ruins through
destruction but now ready to receive the Prince of Peace. There was no
turning back, no whimsy decision, but the desire and passion to offer
His life to the Father for the sake of the world.
There are times in our life that call for tough decisions. Jesus, in
taking up His journey to this city, reminds us that nothing can stop us
from the will of God, no matter what the cost or what might threaten and
distract us from our journey to the Father. I guess this was the
strength of Jesus — that He was making the journey to His Father.
The ancient hostility between the Jews and Samaritans is played out as
we notice their refusal towards Jesus because He was heading towards
Jerusalem. The people believed that God was to be worshipped on their
mountain, not the city of Jerusalem. This is a threat to Jesus’ journey
that the disciples could see, hence their desire to destroy the city.
Many trials and temptations await us. The sage of Ecclesiastes states
that to follow the Lord is an ordeal. Jesus Himself said that we must
take up our cross if we are to follow Him. The journey is not easy but
reassuringly rewarding, as Jesus teaches us. Let us also be resolute in
following the Lord. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you resolutely take the road of the cross?
God of my journey, You are my helper in times of need. Amen.
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