Gospel Reflection for August 31 2014
Jesus must do a difficult thing in today’s Gospel and it is risky …even dangerous. He faces it resolutely, with confidence, bravery, and courage as He always does. That is what real leaders do.
Jesus decides to head toward Jerusalem, a place filled with enemies who want Him dead. He knows that and yet tells His Disciples to head there anyway. Not all agree. Peter argues for His safety and security. “Don’t go!” he implores. “Stay home!” Jesus will have none of that and sharply rebukes him.
Why does Jesus do something so dangerous? Why go to Jerusalem? Because it is the center of the culture that Jesus wants most to communicate the love of God. They have not felt it for some time, and it shows in their behavior. They have become greedy and arrogant, jealous and envious, and especially uncaring of the poor and helpless. They are profoundly unhappy with their lot in life and do not even know there is a way out.
While Peter argues for His safety, Jesus argues for our safety. His decision arises from His deep love for us. We can never find peace or feel safe and secure if we avoid what authentic love tells us we must do.
Nothing will stop Jesus from being with the people He loves. It is why He came to Bethlehem in the first place and why He will continue on to the capital city of Jerusalem. His message of God’s love is our ultimate safety, even if it means His sacrifice. It is in losing our life that we will truly find it. It is using our life for the authentic good of others that we finally find its purpose.
Today, people are profoundly unhappy in the Middle East. Islamic extremists bring death to innocent, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and even non-believers. Our mission is to stop those who bring death to the world. It is just as risky and dangerous now as the mission of Jesus in the Gospel. Yet, let us go forward with the same resoluteness, bravery, confidence, and courage of Our Lord.
The early Church told this story for years before it was finally placed in the Gospel of Mathew. Peter must have been chagrined to hear it at mass. Even the first Pope was often reminded of his own learning curve! As Peter learned from Our Lord, so must we.
Today’s Gospel presents a decision point for Jesus, and He does not miss it. Jesus knows that evil must be faced head-on.
How does His love motivate you to be brave, resolute, confident, and courageous?
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
God is surely enlightening and work through you, Fr Dave. I agree that all evil have to be fought with a conscious “yes in the will”, initially. My soul feels so sad together with Jesus at the evil that Satan is quick to lead people into, and then all other disguises he can come up with. His grip seems just getting tighter as people are oblivient to whom is really ruling in the world., as it spins faster and faster.
All I can do is to love The Lord in the lost souls that come my way. My hart aches for the Palestinians who are pinned in like prisoners, and our persecuted Christians suffering at the hands of their tyrants. Victim souls that can make reparation for sins. Hope they see that through it all.
I have somhow gotten into a site named “the protocol of the learned elders of Zion”. This seems to be the closest to what evil /Lucifer can come up with, to Inslave the human race.
All I read was pure evil from the deceiver. Have you read anything like that, and do you think that the Antichrist will come from the ones who calls themselves Jews.? I feel we need to “wake up”. I am asking my dear Lord for guidance because I don’t know what he can use me for, but prayer.
I don’t understand the world much and have only had an computer/iPad for three years, and only for a few eMails and for knowing more History, through google. I am very curious, have been since I learned to talk. So to use this technology finally as a senior, has thought me a lot, quickly.
I went to the church that you pastor and noticed that you are a very holy, productive and hard working priest. I am going to keep praying for Gods Blessing to keep you safe and going.
Hello! First of all, thank you for your comments! I can also assure you that the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” is a completely bogus and untrue document. There is absolutely nothing in it that is reliable or true. It was fabricated many years ago as anti-Jewish propaganda. You can ignore it.
Please stay in touch with any questions you might have about the Middle East. It is an area that I have studied quite closely for many years, and have gone there for the past ten years.
I should also tell you that as a Catholic, I am deeply impressed by the virtue of hope. That means I believe that I never give up on the human race, and that I believe there will always be enough good people who will do responsible things, be loving and caring, and give of themselves to each other that the world will eventually turn out okay. I will certainly do my part. I am sure you will do your part as well.
Shalom!
Fr. Dave