Word of the day

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah
Zec 8:20-23

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
There shall yet come peoples,
the inhabitants of many cities;
and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another,
and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD”;
and, “I too will go to seek the LORD.”
Many peoples and strong nations shall come
to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem
and to implore the favor of the LORD.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
In those days ten men of every nationality,
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,

“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be 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 him
because 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 heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.

Jesus was alone. He was not accompanied in this decision, because no one understood the mystery of Jesus. The solitude of Jesus on His way to Jerusalem: alone. And this, until the very end. Let us then think of the abandonment of the disciples, of Peter's betrayal... [Jesus was] alone. ‘How many times do I try to do so many things and not look at You, who have done this for me? You who entered into patience — the patient man, patient God — who so patiently tolerates my sins, my failures?’ And talk like this to Jesus, who is determined always to go forward, to put Himself forward; and to thank him. Let us take a little time today, a few minutes — five, ten, fifteen — in front of the Crucifix, perhaps; or in our imagination seeing Jesus walking decisively towards Jerusalem, and ask for the grace to have the courage to follow Him closely. (Santa Marta, 3 October 2017)