This Week
‘Jesus resolutely took the road to Jerusalem’ says the Gospel. He knew what to expect there – rejection, suffering and death. So, it would be understandable if he wasn’t in a good mood and understandable if he was angry with the Samaritans who would not give hospitality to himself and his party. James and John were certainly angry, such that they wanted to bring down fire on the Samaritans and burn them up. Have you ever felt really angry with someone, such that you wanted to teach them a lesson they would never forget? That is not Jesus’ approach, he rebuked James and John, not the Samaritans. Often, we need to wait awhile and calm down before responding. I remember Bishop Brain saying how emails were a problem to him because he would immediately send off an angry reply to people but when he had to write a letter and then post it, he would have calmed down before it was due for posting and then he would scrap it and start again with a more measured response.
Jesus’ response is always careful, thoughtful and measured. He doesn’t seek revenge or to destroy, he seeks to build up, to heal, to restore and to forgive. Jesus’ approach is summed up in the words of the hymn ‘Praise my soul, the King of Heaven’, with him we are ‘ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven’. Jesus was kind even when people were demanding and difficult and that makes a lasting impression. Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of his great parable ‘The Good Samaritan’ and later many Samaritans became Christians. I’m sure that was because Jesus showed kindness whereas many Samaritans only expected hostility from the Jews. Jesus didn’t hold grudges, he was kindly, he forgave and moved on and that’s why he made such an impact.
Jesus is also honest and straightforward. When a man said, ‘I will follow you wherever you go’, Jesus warned him of the difficulties involved. I wonder if he still went with him? The next two responses of Jesus can seem rather harsh but the first man wants to wait until his father has died, however many years that might be. Jesus makes it clear that ‘spreading the news of the kingdom of God’ is a priority requiring a decision in its favour here and now, it shouldn’t be put off. And once the hand is laid on the plough you have to carry on, if you look back, you’ll go astray and produce crooked lines. The Gospel should take priority at times even over family commitments. An essential of the Christian faith is perseverance, despite difficulties, despite our own failures, we carry on and that’s a great witness. You can find a hundred and one reasons to quit and many people do but we know there is no one who compares with Jesus, no one who offers what he offers – eternal life & love.
Jesus’ response is always careful, thoughtful and measured. He doesn’t seek revenge or to destroy, he seeks to build up, to heal, to restore and to forgive. Jesus’ approach is summed up in the words of the hymn ‘Praise my soul, the King of Heaven’, with him we are ‘ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven’. Jesus was kind even when people were demanding and difficult and that makes a lasting impression. Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of his great parable ‘The Good Samaritan’ and later many Samaritans became Christians. I’m sure that was because Jesus showed kindness whereas many Samaritans only expected hostility from the Jews. Jesus didn’t hold grudges, he was kindly, he forgave and moved on and that’s why he made such an impact.
Jesus is also honest and straightforward. When a man said, ‘I will follow you wherever you go’, Jesus warned him of the difficulties involved. I wonder if he still went with him? The next two responses of Jesus can seem rather harsh but the first man wants to wait until his father has died, however many years that might be. Jesus makes it clear that ‘spreading the news of the kingdom of God’ is a priority requiring a decision in its favour here and now, it shouldn’t be put off. And once the hand is laid on the plough you have to carry on, if you look back, you’ll go astray and produce crooked lines. The Gospel should take priority at times even over family commitments. An essential of the Christian faith is perseverance, despite difficulties, despite our own failures, we carry on and that’s a great witness. You can find a hundred and one reasons to quit and many people do but we know there is no one who compares with Jesus, no one who offers what he offers – eternal life & love.
This week's newsletter
The Order of the Mass
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
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To watch other videos about St Catherine's please see our Parish YouTube channel