When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem....
This moment in the Gospel of Luke represents a major event in the life of Jesus. He sets out on a fateful journey to the one city in the world where he should be welcomed. The entire populace should turn out for him, as the elect will do upon his Second Coming, according to Saint Paul.
To this opening sentence, Saint Luke adds, "he sent messengers ahead of him." Not long after that, in chapter 10, we shall learn that he "appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit."
The Lord was organizing an enormous campaign, like a political or military campaign, which would move toward Jerusalem, arrive ahead of him, and greet him on the Sunday before the Passover.
The Jewish feast commemorated the founding incidents of their nation: the exodus from Egypt, sojourn in the Sinai wilderness, and their oath that they and their descendants would live by the Law of God forever.
But we must remember that every commemoration of historical events contains a future dimension. We celebrate the past because we have hope for the future.
The Lord's arrival in Jerusalem anticipates the Day when his human nature will be glorified by his divine dignity. He will appear as obviously human and undeniably divine with such brilliance that even the "demons will bend the knee and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 10)
The Apostles James and John understand that well enough, but their eagerness to call down apocalyptic fire from heaven on a recalcitrant Samaritan village is hugely premature. These are the same "sons of Zebedee" who will ask the Lord if they can sit upon his right and left hand when he enters his glory. They are undeniably zealous but they have no idea what they're asking for. It will cost far more than anyone can expect or anticipate. Only the Holy Spirit can prepare them for what must happen; it is beyond our human nature.
The scriptures teach us to wait; and after we have waited a long time, to wait some more. The scriptures give us God's word in the form of a promise of things to come. It is like an endowment which we may borrow against.
We live in that promise and do great and wonderful things. We have built churches, shrines, hospitals, orphanages, universities and schools, retreat centers and soup kitchens, monasteries and friaries, and institutions we cannot even remember, as we expect a better, far more joyous future. There is no end to the power and creativity of our hope.
But we do not call fire down from heaven upon our enemies. And thank God! May that day never come!
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.