Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - Tuesday in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
[Zech 8:20-23 and Luke 9:51-56]Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord. 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]
The image in Zechariah of someone grabbing the sleeve or coat tail of someone else to get their attention because of their faith is not fanciful. It happens in many ways! Over and over again in campus ministry I have seen the faith journey of a student begin with their noticing the good example of faith in a fellow student or roommate and timidly asking what is the source of their happiness. At Texas Tech University, students from the Catholic student center staff a table outside the student union with a banner that says, ASK A CATHOLIC A QUESTION! Their fellow students can find a sleeve to take hold of in those encounters.
Zechariah's vision of the future of Jerusalem is broad and inclusive. It is one of streams of people moving toward Jerusalem because they have heard that God may be encountered there. We Catholics of the Latin rite sometimes entertain that image in regard to Rome. The synod now taking place in Rome features representatives from all over the world! Pope Francis just created 21 new cardinals from 16 nations! But this isn't just an internal matter of Catholics. The world is watching. Is the Catholic church one of welcome and healing and hope? Will many nations want to take hold of every Catholic by the edge of his or her garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you?" AMEN