Thursday – 30^th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke 13:31-35

Out of the Darkness

Halloween Celebrations

As most of you know, I am a sci-fi/fantasy fanatic – Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, you name it!  And on most Halloween evenings, I will answer the door to trick-or-treaters dressed in my Star Trek uniform and armed with my phaser.  Or perhaps as the wise old Gandalf!  But this is a different Halloween out here in the country and I can’t imagine we will get many, if any, little ones knocking at the door.  It would certainly take more of an effort on their part (and their parents) to navigate their way to our home in the darkness of the Tennessee hills.  I would worry about their safety.  But we can only hope! 

And yet worry is exactly what happens in today’s Gospel.  Some Pharisees are actually concerned for Jesus’ safety.  And they are warning Him to stay away from Jerusalem because Herod wants Him dead.  But Jesus is not deterred; He is not afraid!  He is determined to continue on His mission and will soon come to Jerusalem where He knows He will be put to death, like so many other prophets!

We all have fears, things and moments of sheer dread that can freeze our actions and cause doubt in our minds.  Sometimes it can be so overwhelming that it cripples our ability to think and to move forward.   

Jesus today shows us that faith in God, faith in Him, can lead us through any trial, any obstacle.  He faces His own death; He faces the cross and He still moves forward to Jerusalem.  He knows that death and suffering are not the end of the story, just a sad moment along the way to the Kingdom and the Kingdom is forever! 

So whatever concerns we carry with us today, let us face them with courage and hope and faith!  And leave the light on tonight for the little ones to make sure they are safe and sound!