By Steve Hall
The Apostles do what men so often do: they hear their own advice. They jump to conclusions. They forge ahead, often so far that they miss His words of restraint. At least these two were willing to seek confirmation of the path they had chosen. “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Zechariah 8:20-23
Luke 9:51-56
Patience could well be among the top ten — even the top five of the most ignored virtues in modern society. Neither was it a high priority for James and John — the ‘sons of thunder’ — as we are reminded once again in the Gospel text. We sense a greater appreciation of that same virtue, however, in the prophecy of Zechariah.
“Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD,” and, “I too will go to seek the LORD.”
We can appreciate this prophetic message in greater fullness if we are aware that he is prophesying to a people in exile. They had followed their own way in the past, and it had led them to oppression in a foreign land. But once more, there is the promise of the Lord’s presence and guidance. Jerusalem calls them home. By seeking and following the Lord, they will return.
These people, like the Apostles, are also excited and are anxious to receive what favor the Lord will send. But there is a difference. Their excitement and anticipation flow from their certainty that the Lord will gift them with guidance and his presence. They remember what was written: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!” (Psalms 27:14).
The Apostles, on the other hand, do what men so often do: they hear their own advice. They jump to conclusions. They forge ahead, often so far that they miss His words of restraint. At least these two were willing to seek confirmation of the path they had chosen.
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
We are not told by what words Jesus rebuked them, but those words could well have been given to us by John himself when he wrote his gospel: “God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).
Maybe those words can restrain our impetuosity and impel us to listen.