The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Jim Risse, SVD – Vigan, Ilocus Sur
Tuesday 26th Week in Ordinary Time
No wonder that James and John were called “sons of thunder.” They wanted quick results and they believed in the use of force or threats. “Accept Christ or else.” Therefore they wanted to curse those who didn’t welcome Him.
Cursing is never good. St. Paul tells us: “Bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12,4) These brothers forget the lesson that Jesus had taught them: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt. 11: 29) Jesus invites and welcomes but does not force or threaten. He also said as quoted in the Book of Revelation, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens to me I will enter.” No forced entry.
Of course the apostles didn’t like that the Lord was not welcomed by the Samaritans, but these were not even orthodox Jews. Just before this incident, Jesus had stated “he who is not against you is with you.” Even though they didn’t welcome him, they were not the enemy who wanted to kill him. In fact Jesus was on his journey to Jerusalem, a city which should have welcomed him, but in the end it would not only reject him , but would also arrest, condemn, and crucify him.
The Apostles hated rejection and suffering. Job also could not understand suffering, and he cursed his fate, even the day of his birth. It is perhaps natural to question in time of suffering: “why me”? “What sin did I commit?” “Why am I being punished?”
Sometimes we are afraid to be honest with God. We may get angry with God, and so we shy away from Him, and stop praying. What we should do is go to God and tell him how we feel. Even Jesus did that. Using the beginning of Psalm 22, he cried out from the cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.?’ He brought his complaints to His Father and expressed them loud and clear.
Only by meditating on the sufferings and death of Christ and especially his RESURRECTION, can we hope to understand at least a little the mystery of suffering and the need to be patient as he was in working with others and inviting them into His kingdom.
