杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Jesus鈥檚 decision to go to Jerusalem was a turning point, 杏MAP导航 Francis said at the Angelus on Sunday, because He knew it meant facing rejection, suffering, and death.

The 杏MAP导航 pointed out that we, too, are called to make a firm decision for our lives 鈥渋f we want to be disciples of Jesus.鈥� Sunday鈥檚 Gospel passage, he said, can help us see what this decision involves; because 鈥渨e must be disciples of Jesus in earnest, with real determination, and not鈥攁s an elderly lady I knew used to say鈥�'rosewater Christians.鈥� No, no, no! [We must be] serious Christians!鈥�

Turning to God when we face opposition

In the day's Gospel reading, Sts James and John ask Jesus if they should call down heavenly fire on the Samaritan town that rejects Jesus. The Lord rejects their suggestion and rebukes the disciples, 鈥渂ecause the 鈥榝ire鈥� that Jesus came to bring on the earth is the merciful love of the Father.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis explained that鈥攍ike James and John, who 鈥渁llow themselves to be overcome by anger鈥濃�攚e can become angry even when engaged in good works if things do not go according to our plan. Jesus, instead, takes a different path, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渢hat of a resolute decision which, far from translating into harshness, implies calm, patience, longsuffering, not slackening the least bit in doing good.鈥�

Responding to opposition by doing good

The Holy Father insisted that when we meet opposition, we must, like Jesus, 鈥渢urn toward doing good elsewhere, without recrimination.鈥� He challenged his listeners, 鈥淚n the face of opposition, misunderstanding, do we turn to the Lord?鈥� Do we ask for His help, or do we end up bitter and resentful when our efforts are not applauded?

He invited us to 鈥渁sk Jesus for the strength of being like him, of following him with a firm decision, not to be vindictive and intolerant when difficulties present themselves, when we spend ourselves in doing good and others do not understand this.鈥�