Friday – 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke 10:13-16

Waiting on a Miracle

View from Mt. Tabor

A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.  Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.”  The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.”  So the rowboat went on.

Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.” To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.”  So the motorboat went on.

Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.”

To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.”  So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.

Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”  To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”

Jesus sounds more than a little upset in today’s Gospel.  He focuses His frustration on Chorazin and Bethsaida, Tyre and Sidon, and even His hometown of Capernaum!  They have all heard His words and teachings.  They have all witnessed His healing touch and miracles.  And yet they stubbornly choose to turn their backs and reject Him.  In spite of Jesus declaring Himself to be God’s emissary, the people think they know better!  Instead of putting their trust in God, they believe their judgement is more valuable and trustworthy.  They are stubborn and unrepentant!  It is the complete opposite of the First Reading from Baruch.  In those verses, the people confessed their sins, admitted they did not follow God’s laws, and repented of their stubbornness and pride!

Jesus has welcomed each and every one of us, as a child of God, to share in the love and eternal life of the Father.  How do we answer the invitation?  Do we ignore the call?  Do we snub the messenger? Do we think we know better?  Do we stubbornly sit on the roof and wait for a ‘miracle’?  Or do we open our ears and our hearts to His message?

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