The scriptures make us look at our own journeys of faith

A reflection on the daily readings, for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

Powerfully profound scriptures today note huge things happening and about to happen.

Zechariah speaks of a Jerusalem in which people of every nation are becoming attracted.

They see these people as God‘s people and the God that they want to come to know.

Reminiscent of the woman who says, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.

These people of every other nation are saying, “Yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'”

Surely, Zechariah was encouraging his people; and like Psalm 87, he has them, no doubt, singing, “God is with us.”

+ Like Zechariah, Jesus also is very interested in Jerusalem — but for different reasons.

He is resolutely determined to make his way to Jerusalem, even if it meant traveling through Samaria — a place known for not loving the Jews.

Bitter relations existed between the Samaritans and the Jews.

But it was time — his time!

And when Jesus and his disciples met the Samaritan resistance and rudeness, the disciples wanted to condemn them.

But that was not to be so, and it was not Jesus’ way.

Speak up! Speak strongly! Speak truth! —

That — he was not afraid to do.

But to make trouble to “get back” at a person or persons was not his way.

And because Jesus was now on a mission — to get to Jerusalem — he rebuked those disciples and simply led them to another village, where perhaps there would be some kind people to give them hospitality.

After all, the distance through Samaria was a few days; some rest would be welcome.

Stepping back from these two story lines, Christians might ask themselves if people from “every nation” want to be with them.

Do people find in their communities a real presence of Christ?

And are they resolute in making their way to our own Jerusalem and to our own crosses?

For, surely, there are many for us along our way with Christ.

These powerful and profound scriptures have an introspective quality to them that ask us to take a good look at our own journey of faith.

We don’t need to be condemning, but rather to be deeply identified with the Christ, and welcome others to come to know him through us.

---

Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.