Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 8:312b-39; Luke 13:31-35)
In Vergil’s classical poem The Aeneid the protagonist learns of his destiny to found the city
of Rome. Although the end is
preordained, he does not understand it as inevitable. Rather, he continually applies himself to
achieve it. The project requires strength
and self-sacrifice, which Aeneas never fails to exert. Today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke shows
Jesus making similar effort to fulfill his destiny.
Jesus knows that Herod Antipas is not one to trifle
with. He beheaded John the Baptist on
the whim of his step-daughter as well as married his brother’s wife (and also
his niece) Herodias. Because he surely
could kill Jesus also, Jesus takes the Pharisees’ (his unlikely informers)
advice to leave Galilee and proceed to Jerusalem according to plan. There, of course, he will meet his destiny
which is to be crucified and to rise from the dead on behalf of both the Jewish
nation and the whole world.
Perhaps Paul in today’s first reading expresses best the accomplishment
of Jesus. By his cross and resurrection -- both divinely instituted before the
beginning of time and executed through his intentional actions – Jesus assures
us of God’s love. We no longer are to
live in fear or doubt but can live in righteousness knowing that our destiny of
eternal life is secure.
