Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Reaadings

In today’s gospel passage from Luke, Jesus continues on his journey toward Jerusalem. This is an important feature of Luke’s gospel, which describes Jesus pushing ever closer to his final destiny. Geographically, this destiny is the city of Jerusalem, and theologically, this final destiny is his passion, death, and resurrection. In today’s passage it is clear that Jesus is aware of both his geographical and theological destinations. Despite the warnings of others, he will continue toward Jerusalem precisely because this is where he will die. Jesus’ motivation for this is indicated in the second half of today’s passage; he has pity for the people of Jerusalem, who have often turned away from God. He knows that his death will enable some to recognize God’s love represented in the person of Jesus, and particularly in his passion, death, and resurrection. It would seem to be a daunting task, marching toward the city where one’s own death awaits. Though Jesus’ motivation comes from compassion for the people, his strength comes from his loving Father, to whom he often prays. As such, Jesus represents a model for us, and, no doubt, a model for Paul in this letter to the Ephesians. In today’s first reading Paul instructs the Church at Ephesus to “Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power” (6:10). Battle imagery imbues this particular passage with a sense of standing firm to one’s purpose. Like Jesus’ march toward Jerusalem, Paul envisions the Church at Ephesus meeting their challenges head-on, rather than running away.

In reflecting on the readings today, then, we get a sense of how we ought to live as Christians. We cannot risk avoiding challenges or fleeing from the evil that confronts us daily. Rather, we must draw our strength from the Lord and from his power. We must arm ourselves for the daily battle with evil. It is then that we can cry out with today’s response from the psalm, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock!” (Ps. 144:1b).

There are many ways that we can do this each day. As you go through your day, try to identify one area where you feel particularly challenged to stray from your Christian convictions, perhaps because of the influence of those around you or from your own self-doubts. Imagine yourself preparing for a battle, and then pray that you can draw your strength from the Lord to do what is right, whether that is simply standing firm to your ground or continuing your march toward Jerusalem.

- Maria Morrow