A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (13:31-35)
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
(The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!)\
Reflection: We are sent
We see in the Gospel reading today how our Lord Jesus is filled with zeal to cast out demons, to heal the sick and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the people of Israel and Jerusalem. How frustrating and disappointing it must have been for our Lord Jesus to hear the Pharisees sending him away.
Our Lord Jesus declares that their house or Temple will be abandoned by God. As this was originally shared by the Prophet Jeremiah because of the hardening of the hearts of the leaders of Jerusalem. They refused to change their ways and stoned the prophets sent by God through the earlier centuries. Jesus was sent to proclaim the Kerygma by the Heavenly Father, to preach and proclaim the good news of forgiveness, mercy, healing and salvation through Him, the son of God. He returned to Jerusalem to be praised as their king, then suffered, died and was risen from the dead, as He now guides us through the Holy Spirit.
We are also sent by God to preach and proclaim the good news of forgiveness, mercy, healing and salvation through our Lord Jesus, and to also proclaim the Kerygma. Kerygma means to preach, to proclaim the good news as we are all sent and prompted by God’s Holy Spirit. This is what we are called to do by God who has imprinted the holiness of His Spirit and His presence within the temple of our hearts since the day of our baptism.
However, not all ears receiving of the good news of Jesus’ love and mercy for humankind will accept what they hear, just like how the Pharisees and Jewish leaders rejected Jesus’ message. Some of us will suffer persecution, some of us may be killed and martyred just like the earlier prophets.
But be strong and steadfast, “there will be” more ears, hearts, and minds of fertile soil, ready to sow and spread the seeds of God’s message of love and kindness. Thus stirred in all our hearts by the Holy Spirit, to help it grow, and expand and prosper Jesus’ message among the peoples throughout the earth. And to reach more and even more hearts and minds who will also be sent by God to proclaim Jesus’ message of forgiveness, mercy and love. We are all sent to help gather God’s children together into His care, from every land, from every people and every nation into the peace of God’s presence in the kingdom of Heaven.
Action for the Day:
We are sent. Continue to share the joy of the good news of God’s message of love, mercy, kindness, compassion, and salvation through our Lord Jesus to everyone we meet!
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