Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
(Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56)
The desire of James and John to set fire to the Samaritan
town that has refused to welcome Jesus typifies a common misunderstanding. The brothers think that their main adversary
is a physical power when in truth it is spiritual. Jesus heads toward Jerusalem to meet the
devil head on.
Peoples often oppose one another. Russia and the Ukraine present a recent rivalry
that has recurred countless times through the ages. But still more oppressive than foreign armies
are personal demons that cause one to want more than his or her due. To overcome these challengers, Christians
cling to Jesus who was victorious after all in Jerusalem.
We hold to the Lord by meditating on his word and by embracing
him in the sacraments. These encounters
prepare us for the wonder of living with him in eternity.
