Jesus was intent to continue on his journey to Jerusalem, even though he knew that the destination of Jerusalem would bring an end to his life here on earth. Today, we see how Jesus’ messengers enter a Samaritan village who would not welcome Jesus. Perhaps they did not know of the miracles and healing Jesus could do. Perhaps they for political reasons and nationalistic reasons, they feared Jerusalem. Throughout the Gospels, at different points on Jesus’ journey, he would be welcomed or he would face opposition or anger. Our own journey through faith is like that as well. We meet those who help us on our journey, who provide us encouragement and new life, but we also meet those who put roadblocks in our way.
But, most of all, perhaps today’s Gospel helps us look at how we are welcoming to others as a parish. In recent years, since the convening of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, our Popes have addressed the need for a new evangelization and a desire for our Church to be more welcoming, not only to visitors and strangers who come to our parishes, but also to our loyal members and to those members who have drifted away from the faith. There are a lot of stories out there we do not know, that is for sure. And in our modern society today, it is easy to make assumptions or to be judgmental. Mother Teresa once said: “The biggest disease is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.” How can we be more welcoming, as individuals and as a community?
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