Gospel: October 1, 2024

(Tuesday)

26th Week in Ordinary Time

Psalter: Week 2 / (White)

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin & doctor

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88: 2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

1st Reading: Job 3: 1-3, 11-17, 20-23

See Also

Enrile on People Power talk: Just do it

Gospel: Luke 9: 51-56

As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. He sent ahead of him some messengers, who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. But the people would not receive him, because he was on his way to Jerusalem. Seeing this, James and John, his disciples, said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.

Reflection: “Sense of inclusivity”

At this point of our journey, we are already expected to have a more inclusive understanding of salvation, which in turn should already guide our attitude and action appropriate for Jesus’ followers. However, the sense of inclusivity that is expected of us lies not only in terms of accepting into our fold the people who are different from us. The kind of inclusive attitude expected of us as Jesus’ followers is an attitude that is also characterized by our ability to keep calm when we are the ones who are rejected by others because we are different from them. Today’s Gospel narrates Jesus’ decision to proceed to Jerusalem in order to fulfill his mission. He sent some messengers ahead of him to prepare a place for his lodging. The messengers entered a Samaritan village. The people did not accept Jesus because he was heading toward Jerusalem. The Samaritans and the Jews were not in good terms. James and John had a violent reaction, asking if Jesus would want that they call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans. Jesus rebuked them. Jesus summons us now to practice nonviolence.