Reflection for Thursday, 30th Week of Ordinary Time 

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar


Today's WORD of GOD 

 Luke 13: 31- 35 

 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 

 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 

 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 

 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. 

 I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ 

Today's Reflection 

Love will Win Out

When Paul (or whoever wrote Ephesians in his name) Presents the Moral Life as a Battleground, where We Need the Whole Armour of GOD, It Evokes Yesterday’s Warning to “Enter the Narrow Door.”

Are there Forces that Stand in the Way of Salvation? Right Now We may Overlook Them or even Try to Silence Them with a Guilty Conscience. Shund Not the Struggle; Face It, ’This GOD'S Gift. 

JESUS HIMSELF had to Struggle with the Knowledge of HIS Impending Death, by which HE would Return to HIS FATHER in Heaven. HIS Ministry was to Speak HIS Truth to Power, No Matter what the Cost. And for this HE Died a Prophet’s Death in Jerusalem. Still, the Sight of the Holy City Does Not Stir HIM to Hatred or Bitterness. 

What HE Says about Jerusalem is a Mixture of Love & HIS Indomitable Hope: “How often have I Wanted to Gather Your Children Together as a Hen Gathers Her Young under Her Wings.” Eventually, Love will Win Out.

The Hen & Her Chicks

JESUS was Clearly a Keen Observer of Nature & of the Animal World. 

HE would have Often Seen Hens Clucking about in the Village, Gathering Their Brood & Watching Over Them. 

HE too was Bent on Gathering People. HE Wanted to Form Them into a United Community, Including People who would Not Normally Relate in Friendship, Jew, Samaritan & Gentile, Rich & Poor, Law Abiding & Sinner, Male & Female.

HE Laments the Fact that so many were Not Willing to be Gathered by HIM. HE Longed to Gather Them but HE was Powerless Before the Mystery of Human Freedom. HE could Call & Invite & Plead, but could Not Coerce.

When HIS Desire to Save People Met with Murderous Resistance, & They Nailed HIM to the Cross, HE Continued to Call  to Invite, Calling Them Still. “When I am Raised Up… I will Draw All People to Myself.”

After the Resurrection, HIS Work of Calling & Inviting & Gathering Continues to This Day. HE Never Ceases HIS Work of Gathering People for the Kingdom of GOD & HE Continues to Await Our Response.

Various Influences can Block Us from Responding to the LORD'S Call. 

To Resist such Forces We Need the Strength of Grace, the Armour of GOD. For This, Says Ephesians, We should Pray in the SPIRIT at All Times.


Good morning

God bless you with a pleasant day filling it with joy and peace.