Thirtieth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’”

We all have a natural inclination to preserve our lives. We want to survive, to thrive, and to be successful. However, Jesus gives us another model to live by: a model of self-sacrifice. He isn’t afraid of being persecuted, tormented, and put to death. He is willing to suffer all of these things in order to cast out demons, perform healings, and accomplish his purpose. By worldly standards, he is heading towards ruin, but by heavenly ones he is heading towards glorification. So too, we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves to bear God into the world and to give witness to His Word. We must be willing to die for Christ, if we wish to live as good and faithful servants.

Have we asked God to give us the courage to do His Will? Are we willing to suffer in order to love God and bear Him into the lives of others? Are we willing to sacrifice our lives for God?

O Lord, let us accomplish your heavenly purpose.

Amen.