Reflection:
I’ve read this Gospel over and over several times and keep coming back to the word ‘resolutely’ which is used to describe Jesus’s determination. Not silently, but boldly and steadily. He knew where he was, having completed what he needed to do there. His mission lay in another place, and it called for movement, action.
I can imagine Jesus saying, I’m going and began preparing as word of his travels swept up the road ahead of Him. Traveling can be hard and stressful, as we know, but how about averaging 15 or so miles a day by walking and carrying your belongings? In the towns around, His disciples were working to make His travels more reasonable, spreading the news, asking for a reception and some lodging. Many would have heard about Jesus and would have wanted to see and hear Him.
Maybe Jesus would be able to stop and spend some time with us. The townspeople also knew the commitment versus reward. Set up, serving, cleaning up, arranging sleeping spaces and the list goes on.
Worse yet, Jesus wouldn’t really have time with them because he was traveling on.
Because of the town’s decision to “pass” this time, those planning were angry and asked for vengeance, citing that Jesus was not welcomed. They were rebuked by Him and reset on the Mission and Journey.
Have there been times that God has wanted to enter my life and I just couldn’t be bothered? Do I spend enough time seeking the Lord? Am I willing to put my pettiness aside, and concentrate on others and leave the me, ego and obstructions at the door. When I pour everything into something and the results are less than what I (we) hoped for, do we want to call down vengeance or criticize people who weren’t present?
Am I resolutely determined to move in a prayerful, peaceful journey toward mission?
