Today’s Scripture Readings

A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

Today’s reading marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry as ‘he set his face to go to Jerusalem,’ marking his deliberate journey towards the Cross. Jesus is fully aware of the suffering that awaits him, yet he moves forward intentionally in obedience to the Father’s will.

As he passes through Samaria, Jesus faces rejection. The Samaritans refuse him hospitality because of his destination -Jerusalem, the centre of Jewish worship despised by the Samaritans. The deep animosity engendered by religious and ethnic differences reveals itself in their refusal of hospitality for Jesus and the disciples.

Incensed with this rejection, James, and John, known as the Sons of Thunder, urge Jesus to rain down fire upon the village. Jesus rebukes them and goes on to another village. Instead of retaliation and revenge, Jesus models patience and restraint. His mission is not to destroy but to save, through the path of mercy.

Faced with rejection, we can react with anger, be quick to condemn and seek to exact revenge, whether it be from a personal slight, a deliberate racial slur, being excluded or a hurtful and deliberate attack. Jesus challenges us to choose love over righteousness, mercy over wrath and obedience over fear.

Jesus, may we walk each day with our faces set toward you, resolute, humble, and merciful. Give us the grace to follow your example and sow peace when we are tempted to turn back or to strike out against those who reject and hurt us. Amen.