Destination Jerusalem

Gospel


Lk 9:51-62


When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there,but they would not welcome himbecause the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heavento consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.



As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,“I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him,“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”



And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plowand looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”





Reflection

•What happened to Jesus when he reached Jerusalem?


•What is the destination of your journey?


•How do you serve God? Your neighbor?


•Where is the path that you follow? (Is it a material or spiritual path?)





WE FOLLOW JESUS TO JERUSALEM TO SUFFER, DIE, AND TO
RISE WITH HIM TO A NEW LIFE



The gospel today tells us that Jesus is resolute and determined to go to Jerusalem to suffer, die, rise from the dead, ascend into heaven, and send down the Holy Spirit to give life to the whole world; to give love, joy and peace to the whole world!





The second part of the gospel tells us that in order to follow Jesus we have to give up all our possessions: “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Lk 9:58) The gospel also tells us that in order to follow Jesus we have to give up our filial obligations, even of burying one’s father: “Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:60) Finally, the gospel tells us that in order to follow Jesus we have to give up all our family ties: “Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62)





In the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and our Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit, to help us follow him to Jerusalem, to suffer, die, and to rise to a new life; to give the Holy Spirit to the whole world; to give life, love, joy and peace to the whole world!