Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus

The Lord said:

Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets 
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said,
‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles;
some of them they will kill and persecute’
in order that this generation might be charged
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.

When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees
began to act with hostility toward him
and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

— Luke 11:47-54


The peace of the Lord be with you. The last couple of days the words of Jesus seem rather harsh and stern. The message seems to consistently point out that people weren’t listening; that they were not doing the will of God. Jesus seems to be reminding them, and maybe also us, that often times we ignore the teachers that he has sent. Maybe sometimes we even become a hindrance to those trying to find God and enter his kingdom. Is Jesus doing this just for the sake of being critical? I don’t think that’s His intent.

Let us remember that Jesus was announcing the presence of the kingdom of God was in their midst. He was announcing that God wants to be in our lives and wants to build us up. In many respects Jesus is encouraging us to come back, to keep our eyes and our ears open to his word and teaching. He is saying I have been and continue to be right here with you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Readings for Thursday, October 15, 2020