Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 27, 2022
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.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
What is our mission?
Today’s gospel shows us that Jesus knows his mission, even in the face of death. Modeling courage that his followers, both then and now, need, he refuses to be swayed by fear or pride. Jesus has the work of his Father to finish, and he will not turn from this task no matter the threats.
How many of us can say the same? Do we have courage in the face of opposition? Are we so sure of our purpose that we are willing to sacrifice and suffer for it, let alone die?
Yet this is exactly what Jesus asks of each of us. Just as he admonishes the people of Jerusalem, we, too, feel the sting of his words. I feel the sting of losing my purpose each time I neglect my prayer life, struggle with productivity at work, or lose my patience with my children.
When confronted with negativity, how quickly do we lose our resolve and doubt the mission the Lord has given us?
But Jesus finished his work on the third day, foreshadowing the Resurrection and his ultimate mission of bringing salvation to the world. Notably, few of us may drive out demons, but our tasks remain a mission from God, however modest they seem.
May we be steadfast about our purpose in our lives so that with faith, courage, and hope, Christ’s grace will allow us to complete our mission on earth.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you long for us to be united with you in love, yet all too often we choose to turn away from you because of persecution and suffering. Strengthen us to trust in you and joyfully follow your will, despite earthly trials. We ask this in your name. Amen.
Saint of the Day
When St. Frumentius visited the famous St. Athanasius to ask him to send priests and bishops to Ethiopia, Athanasius told him to go himself, and ordained him on the spot.
Frumentius was born in Tyre (what is now Lebanon) and was sent with a friend to live with a philosopher to receive an education. Around the year 330, their teacher decided to travel the known world, and he took the two boys with him.
When their ship wrecked near modern-day Ethiopia, the native people attacked the travelers—all but the two boys were killed, including their teacher. The boys were captured and taken to the king of the region.
The king was impressed with their learning and commanded them to serve his court. The two served the royal family for years, and when the king died they were granted their freedom. The queen asked them to remain to assist in the management of the kingdom until her sons were old enough to reign, and they both decided to stay.
When her sons came of age, Frumentius and his friend were faced with a decision to leave. His friend returned to Tyre, but Frumentius felt called to spread the faith through Ethiopia. He went to the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, a center of power and learning in the Church, and asked the great St. Athanasius to send pastors. Athanasius immediately recognized that no one would be better suited to the job than Frumentius—he ordained the missionary and sent him instead.
Frumentius went back to Ethiopia and brought many to the faith by his preaching and miracles. Ten years after his return, Christianity was named the official state religion of the kingdom. Even the royal household was baptized—they are still honored as saints in the Ethiopian Church. Frumentius was known as “our father” and “father of peace.”
St. Matthew is said to have first evangelized Ethiopia, but Frumentius is known as the apostle to that nation because of his effectiveness in converting people to the faith. It is said that the early diocese of Louisiana observed the feast of St. Frumentius in the 1700s, possibly as an acknowledgment of the Africans enslaved there.
St. Frumentius, who survived shipwreck and evangelized a nation, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Frumentius is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 4, 2024.