26TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 9:51-56) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them? Jesus turned and rebuked them.” (Lk 9:54-55)

FIRST READING - Zech 8:20-23

"Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem."

A reading from the Book of Zechariah

²⁰ Thus says the Lord of hosts:

There will yet come peoples and inhabitants of many cities; ²¹ and the inhabitants of one city will approach those of another, and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts. I too am going.” ²² Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord.

²³ Thus says the Lord of hosts:

In those days ten people from nations of every language will take hold, yes, will take hold of the cloak of every Judahite and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 9:51-56

"He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem."

✠From the Gospel according to Luke

^51 [b]When the days for his being taken up^[c] were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, ^52 [d]and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, ⁵³ but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ⁵⁵ Jesus turned and rebuked them, ⁵⁶ and they journeyed to another village.

26TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 9:51-56)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God in today's Gospel tells about Jesus and his disciples on the way to Jerusalem to die; but when they passed through the Samaritan village, the people did not welcome Jesus and his disciples because they were jealous and envious of the Jewish people, the people of Jesus.

They did not know that: Jesus Christ is God who came down to earth and became human to save their souls.

God knew that their hearts were still hard, still harboring jealousy, envy, and hatred among themselves; so their souls did not truly love everyone around them according to the law of love, which God had engraved in their souls since they were born; therefore, they did not welcome Jesus as their Teacher. Seeing this, His disciples were angry and asked God if they could send fire down from heaven to consume them; but Jesus rebuked His disciples and taught them a lesson: to have love and forgiveness, to be patient, to endure and wait for repentance, repentance from their sins.

God also teaches: when someone opposes, persecutes and condemns us, then we must always have an attitude of love and forgiveness, perseverance, patiently waiting and praying for them, asking God to grant them forgiveness, conversion and healing of their souls and bodies. God invites everyone: to look at the image of Jesus Christ Himself, He came to the world to save humanity. He patiently waits for sinful people, to one day, realize God's love, mercy, forgiveness, humility, lowliness, to repent, and return to Him.

Today, God also invites His disciples:

Follow His example to live in love, forgiveness, patience and sacrifice, praying for the repentance, conversion and return to God, of those who have opposed, persecuted and condemned them; so that one day, they too can enjoy the light and salvation that God always gives to mankind.

Thanks be to God. Amen.