What Was He Thinking?

Homily for Tuesday of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time

Sometimes you have to wonder exactly what Jesus was thinking when he picked the twelve apostles. Today’s Gospel is from the 9th chapter of Luke. Luke begins this chapter with Jesus giving the twelve power and authority. They can now exorcise demons and cure the sick. Then He commissions them to proclaim the good news.

So what happens next? In yesterday’s reading, an argument breaks out among the Apostles about who is the greatest. They’re like a bunch of kids. “I’m the best.” “No, I am.” No, me.” Jesus must have just shaken His head in disbelief. “Where have these guys been? Have they listened to anything I’ve said? Were they on vacation, or asleep, or what?” So He tells them that the least among them will be the greatest.

Then, in the very next paragraph, John tells Jesus that they’ve seen someone casting out demons in His name. “We tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.”, John says. In other words, “You said we could cast out demons. That’s our job. Make him stop. He doesn’t have power and authority. Wah, wah, wah.”
Jesus tells John to get over it. If he’s not against us, he must be for us. There are plenty of demons to go around.

Now today, here comes John, this time with his brother James. The Samaritans won’t welcome Jesus into their village. They’re Samaritans. He’s a Jew. He’s on his way to Jerusalem. Their response shouldn’t be a big surprise.

There’s a reason why we have the story of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews didn’t get along. The Good Samaritan was good because he ignored the bad feelings that he was supposed to have for the injured traveler and helped him anyway. If Samaritans and Jews didn’t hate each other, there would be no story.

So, anyway, the Samaritans don’t want to welcome Jesus. John and James think their response should be to set them on fire. “C’mon Jesus. Let us set them on fire. Please. We can do that. You gave us the power. Just this once. Can’t we set them on fire?”

Luke doesn’t tell us what Jesus’ expression was, but it probably wasn’t a smile. He just says that “Jesus rebuked them.” I’ll bet He rebuked them. Kind of like Sheriff Taylor with Barny and Gomer.

We know from Mark’s Gospel that these are the same two guys, the sons of Zebedee, who wanted to sit at Jesus’ right and left side when He came into His glory. His answer that time was “You don’t know what you’re asking.” Of course when the other ten heard John and James, then they got mad because they thought they should sit next to Jesus.

Jesus had to call all twelve of them together and tell them “Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.” Heaven will be a wonderful place. There are no bad seats.

So, what was Jesus thinking when he chose these guys? I don’t know, but I imagine it was about the same thing he was thinking when he chose you and me. “They’re not perfect. Sometimes they do some pretty stupid things. They have a hard time understanding what I’m trying to tell them. Sometimes they don’t even listen.

“The day will come when they’ll actually turn their backs on me and run away. Some will even betray me. But, I still love them. I’m even willing to die for them.”

He calls all of us to proclaim the good news, each of us in our own way. We should check our egos at the door. He loves every one of us enough to give his life for us.

No one is entitled to a better place in heaven than anyone else. Either you’re in or you’re out. No box seats. No terrace reserved. Just eternal happiness. That should be enough.

And, no, you don’t get to set anybody on fire. God will take care of that Himself.