Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Our readings range from the Old Testament where men form every country was coming to God thru Israel to Jesus disciples and how they found a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus from staying there for he was going to Jerusalem.

There are a couple of interesting movements here. There are those who were seeking God and knew the Lord was present among the Jews and there were those who rejected Jesus from even entering their village. 

The next action and of great importance was Jesus reaction when his followers wanted to destroy the Samaritan town. He stops them and rebukes them. Sternly says this is a bad idea. We don’t hear why he did that but as In Genesis when Abraham questioned God about saving Sodom if there only a few righteous people, Jesus too believe and hoped that some would eventually accept him. The town itself had already chosen its punishment but Jesus saw that there was still opportunity and a reason to hope in their conversion.

Today we see some similar movements. More people are coming to Jesus Christ. Many from places and ages and cultures we didn’t expect. The multitude of young people who have been won over is astonishing and grows rapidly. Even politicians and the famous have outwardly voiced a faith in Jesus. And it grows.

On the other hand, evil in our world is gaining a great foothold in many places and many have rejected Christ and now spew foul words at those who believe and we see violence against churches and believers and those like Charlie Kirk who spoke plainly and openly about truth. Encouraging others to discern for themselves. The violence is spreading across cities. Even the rhetoric among our politicians have become more violent, without charity or compassion but quickly escalating until politician against politician sound as divisive as ever. 

And so here we are. Watching good and evil escalate and grow and there will be a meeting of the two soon. Soon there will be no room or place for Luke warm followers. Those who attend church out of habit but no conviction because all will need to soon decide who they follow. And there will be persecution and unrest and division will increase among families and states and countries. 

But hopefully we realize that there has never been room for luke warm Christians. God has always demanded full and singular faith and love. It was only that the culture allowed for all shades of belief to exist. But God has never accepted the casual worshipper. Like Jesus in our Gospel he had hope and still does that those who reject him or even just treat God like a casual acquaintance will soon change and be counted month the children of light. 

Where are we today? Who is first in our life? Soon we will be forced to choose good or evil. And there will be no room for shades of devotion. Pray more. Learn more. Ask God to be present in your heart and souls today and each day. And do as Jesus did and reject no one who may not have your beliefs, origin, language or opinion. Maybe it will be our presence in their life that takes that light Jesus planted in each of us to see truth and light and reject darkness.