Settling into our summer season I would like to begin this week by thanking Monsignor Leo Gomez who covered for me while I was away attending to business and some away time. Jesus gave us the example last week in the gospel of how important that getting away is for our physical and spiritual health. I am grateful to Monsignor AND the whole staff for making that a reality for me too.
This week’s gospel is one that has Jesus NOT being welcomed into the Samaritan village on his way to Jerusalem. The disciples, James and John are rather quick to want to call down fire from heaven to consume these un-welcoming people. Jesus just basically says, “No. Let’s not do that. Let’s just get on our way.”
The truly amazing and divine way that Jesus de-escalates the situation is something of a great example for us who live in a time of road rage that too often gets out of control way too quickly. Do you see yourself in the role of the disciples who move to that rage? Or, are you more like Jesus who suggests we just keep moving and not let anyone else’s negativity drag us down?
One of the things that truly is inspirational to me is the proscribed verse for the gospel acclamation this week that says, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.” I believe if we really listened to what that says, do what that entails and trust that when we humble ourselves and are more still, quiet and open, we might have less problems in our world. What do you think? Perhaps this week we can spend some time thinking about how we might or, might not be needing to quiet ourselves and allow our God to speak to us who are called to listen.