Gospel for June 26 2022 – Luke 9:51-62
Gospel Reflections for June 26 2022
Now is the time…
The First Reading describes the Prophet Elijah at the time of his retirement. He is an old man and so he chooses the younger Elisha to succeed him. Elisha is uncertain about the risks and if this is the right time. He offers a few excuses at first, but then resolutely follows. Good for him!
Elisha had to think about following Elijah. That is a good thing. It is always wise to consider risks and dangers, but it was great that he eventually followed!
God the Father sends His Son Jesus to earth, and Our Lord followed. However, I am sure all the angels warned Jesus not to go! After all, Earth is filled with sinful people who can be violent and hateful …and yet Our Lord comes anyway. Despite the risks and dangers, He even arrives in Bethlehem as a little child! Our Lord knows where safety is found, and it is precisely in following His Father’s will. That is why He is always at peace. He never worries about comfort or safety, as today’s Gospel beautifully says, “Foxes have lairs and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
This lesson is completely lost on His disciples! When they encounter danger in a nearby village they want Jesus to destroy it! Well, that is not the Jesus way.
Moreover, as Jesus walks, several people offer to follow Him, but only after taking care of various tasks first. They list excuses, “Let me first go and…etc.” That is also not the Jesus way.
This Gospel is about your being called right now …and responding right now for some loving purpose, even if difficult.
I remember seeing an advertising sign for a phone company on the freeway. It offered compelling advice for using your phone. The sign read: You can call your wife today and ask her how she is feeling …or wait five years …and her attorney will tell you!
There are many times each day that you might see there is something good that you can do …offer needed encouragement, useful advice, or timely service that really helps someone.
If there is something good you can do right now …now is the time to do it, even if difficult.
Next weekend our New Associate Pastor, Fr. Henry Okeke, arrives. He is from Nigeria and has been here just a few months. You can learn more about Fr. Henry at our website at stbrunochurch.org. Next weekend will be a great time to welcome him!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
The Readings this week are great as is the Supreme Court Decision by those courageous members coming to the decision they did. I pray their opponents will understand the basic morality of preserving life ..
Thanks for your vocation in reminding us of what is truly important for our Eternal Salvation. God Bless.
Yes, very courageous, but actually simply following constitutional law.
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy Father Dave that we share life with precious you!!! Your words touch our hearts with so much love!!! Our loving God, our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother so love you for being their Priest sharing their love with everyone!!! love the idea of helping someone, right now today and everyday and our Jesus’ love will ovewhem our world!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeee you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
Good morning
No matter where we go to church we follow your homily because we often say lets see what Father Dave says, “he always interprets the scripture so clearly and to the point”. God Bless
The Wilson’s, parishners , St John Vianney
I am glad that you find my articles helpful!