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Gospel Reading for October 1, 2024 – Luke 9: 51-56
NEVER HALF-HEARTED
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
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“RESOLUTELY DETERMINED.”
Resolute and Determined are synonyms, therefore, would seem redundant. It is used this way in the Gospel most probably to give emphasis on how Jesus went about performing his mission. He was NEVER HALF-HEARTED, hence, when he was not welcomed in the Samaritan village, he just moved on and journeyed to another village. He even rebuked James and John who wanted him to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritan village.
When fulfilling our mission as Christians, we need to be RESOLUTELY DETERMINED inspite of challenges or hurdles that come our way. As Jesus taught the 72 disciples when he sent them on a mission, “Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.” (Matthew 10: 14). This way, we will not lose our FOCUS on the mission and be able to accomplish it.
The same goes for those of us who wish to kick off a bad habit. We cannot be half-hearted. We have to be RESOLUTELY DETERMINED if we are to succeed.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, whose memorial we celebrate today, is an example of being RESOLUTELY DETERMINED inspite of challenges and hurdles that came her way. This is why she is now a saint.
Let us ponder on this song by Danny Gokey, STAY STRONG –
I’ve been waitin’ for breakthrough,
I’ve been prayin’ for change.
I know You’ll work it all for good
but how long will it take?
I’ve been asking for healing
and I’m not gonna lie.
I’m ready for the miracle,
God, let it be this time
But if I never see the promise
on this side of the grave
my hope might be shaken
but my faith will never break.
Because, I know the day is coming
when You’ll right all of the wrong.
So I’ll praise You in the waiting
and my faith will stay strong
God, You taught me to trust You,
You showed me how to believe.
You’re the author and the finisher
of what You start in me.
So I’m not gonna doubt it,
I’m gonna hold onto peace
’cause if I have You and nothing else,
I still have everything.
‘Cause if I never see the promise
on this side of the grave
my hope might be shaken
but my faith will never break.
Because, I know the day is coming
when You’ll right all of the wrong
So I’ll praise You in the waiting
and my faith will stay strong.
I’ll count it joy when I am tested
‘Cause You bring beauty from my pain,
it’s never wasted.
But if I never see the promise
on this side of the grave
my hope might be shaken
but my faith will never break.
Because I know the day is coming
when You’ll right all of the wrong.
So I’ll praise You in the waiting
and my faith will stay strong.
Because I know the day is coming
when You’ll right all of the wrong.
So I’ll praise You in the waiting
and my faith will stay strong,
will stay strong.
