Daily Inspiration

“When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.” -Luke 9:51-56
 
Like some of you, I would have been right at home with the Sons of Thunder, James, and John. For most of my life, I believed that with a big enough hammer and a hard enough swing, vengeance was the answer to any conflict.
 
As we walk along the Way with Christ, not everyone we meet will be hospitable to us or Our Lord. Instead of calling violence upon them, we should take great pity on them. It is not by our will that God has graced us with faith, but by His.
 
I have seen the place where the lukewarm and the unfaithful go, and I would not wish that existence on anyone. Rather than vengeance, we must show mercy and invite them to join us to see where the Master leads.
 
Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.