Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

 As before, in today’s gospel Jesus retreats to a deserted place and is tempted.  This time, however, it is not Satan who does the bidding but “the crowds of people.”  They want Jesus to stay in their town to help them.

 Jesus has successfully met the people’s needs.  His speaking with authority has left them astonished.  His casting out maddening demons and curing illnesses has healed them mentally and physically.  Why wouldn’t they want such a prophet to remain among them?  The gospel mentions that the people try to prevent Jesus from leaving but does not mention how. We might imagine their making offers difficult to refuse.  They may tempt him with a life-tenure as rabbi of their synagogue.  Or perhaps they propose the hand of the beautiful daughter of the town’s richest merchant in marriage!

 But Jesus knows that he is no local guru.  He has come to bring about the universal Kingdom of God.  He will inaugurate it with words, deeds, and ultimately with his life.  He is not to be deterred by temptations of beauty or security.  Jesus here offers us an example and an assurance.  Like him we must know what we are about as Christians and not allow ourselves to be lured away from holiness.  Equally important, Jesus assures us that he will not be distracted from his mission of saving us.