Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 - Tuesday in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
[Zech 8:20-23 and Luke 9:51-56]Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." [Zechariah]
OCTOBER 1 ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX, ocd, virgin and doctor of the church
Zechariah had a bold and expansive vision of the future of Jerusalem and Judaism. The temple would serve as a magnetic symbol of the power of faith that would draw people of every nation and culture to it and to faith in God. Judaism did expand slowly in the Middle East, especially after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.. However, the strict observance of the Mosaic Law advocated by the Pharisaic interpretation that survived the temple made Judaism less attractive than Christianity. The powerful image in Zechariah today, however, should give us Christians something to think about.
What came to mind for me are the stories of those who have come into the church through the RCIA process. Most of the time it was the living witness of a friend or family member whose faith served as a spiritual magnet! Those attracted by such faith may indeed tug at the sleeve of the believer and ask how one might join them in their faith. Would we be surprised if someone did that to us? What would we say? "Go talk to Father so and so?" Could we first share our own faith that attracted someone else? Zechariah's image can come to live through our faithful living. Watch for that tug on your sleeve! AMEN