Do Not Reject the Prophets or Teachers

 

 Luke 11:47-54

 The Woes Continue

⁴⁷ “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. ⁴⁸ So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ ⁵⁰ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

⁵² “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

⁵³ When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, ⁵⁴ waiting to catch him in something he might say.

Needless to say, Jesus taught and preached in a hostile climate but his opposition was not from the people, but from religious leaders. How disconcerting that must have been.  Those who should have known better were those who opposed and rejected him! As Jesus unfolded the truth, he incurred more opposition. 

Today we celebrate the North American Martyrs, men dedicated to the Truth of the Gospel and passionate about teaching it to the Native Americans of what is now upper New York State, and part of Canada. Their zeal and willingness to suffer for the spread of the Gospel continue to inspire us today, when the Gospel is the last thing on the minds of people. We need exemplars and teachers are willing to sacrifice and suffer to make the Gospel known.  Our Marist Mission is "to make Jesus known and loved." May we be emboldened to do so as we reflect on the lives of these men and honor them today.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, my mission, as that of these Jesuit martyrs, is to spread the Good News of the Gospel, no matter what the cost to me.  Help me to be faithful to this calling. Amen.