Ordinary Weekday/ Wenceslaus, Martyr/ Lawrence Ruiz, Married Man, Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 87: 1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
Alleluia: Mark 10: 45
Gospel: Luke 9: 51-56
First Reading: Zechariah 8: 20-23
20 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, until people come, and dwell in many cities,
21 And the inhabitants go one to another, saying: Let us go, and entreat the face of the Lord, and let us seek the Lord of hosts: I also will go.
22 And many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord.
23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the shirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 87: 1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (Zec 8:23) God is with us.
1b The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains:
2 The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of thee, O city of God.
R. God is with us.
4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, these were there.
5 Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? and the Highest himself hath founded her.
R. God is with us.
6 The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of them that have been in her.
7 The dwelling in thee is as it were of all rejoicing.
R. God is with us.
Alleluia: Mark 10: 45
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
45 The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 9: 51-56
51 And it came to pass, when the days of his assumption were accomplishing, that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.
52 And he sent messengers before his face; and going, they entered into a city of the Samaritans, to prepare for him.
53 And they received him not, because his face was of one going to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John had seen this, they said: Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?
55 And turning, he rebuked them, saying: You know not of what spirit you are.
56 The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save. And they went into another town.
Reflection
The Lord’s presence is meant to draw people together. The prophet sees peoples of every language seeking the Lord and gladly joining themselves to those who already know him: “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” The psalm echoes this wide embrace, portraying God’s holy dwelling as a place where many nations find belonging and joy.
Yet the Gospel shows that God’s presence must never be defended through violence or contempt. Jesus is resolutely journeying toward Jerusalem, where he will serve and give his life as a ransom for many. When a Samaritan village refuses him, his disciples want to call down fire, but Jesus rebukes them: they do not understand the spirit they are invoking. His mission is salvation, not destruction. Those who follow him must therefore allow his mercy to shape their response to rejection. We cannot force anyone into faith; we can bear witness to the God who is with us through patience, service, and a love that leaves room for conversion. The Church becomes a convincing sign of God’s presence when people encounter in her the saving spirit of Christ rather than the desire to condemn.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you set your face toward Jerusalem and accepted the path of loving sacrifice. Free me from every harsh spirit that wishes to condemn or retaliate. When I meet rejection, give me patience; when others seek you, make me generous in welcoming them. Let your mercy govern my words, choices, and relationships. Through the Holy Spirit, make your Church a place where people of every nation can recognize that God is truly with us. Teach me to serve quietly and faithfully, trusting that salvation belongs to you. Amen.
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