Keep Going!

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Col 1:1-8; PS 52:10, 11; Lk 4:38-44
Notes: We are often tempted to to return to something prior or remain in one place.

It depends, yes?

• If the return is inferior expression of the Divine Plan in Jesus then, no.
• If your mission is completed, go to the next mission.

Maybe comfortable is not all its cracked up to be.

• After Jesus left the synagogue… he went to heal Peter’s Mother-in-Law.
• After that, at sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
• After that, at daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
• After that, Jesus went… to the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

First reading
The city of Colossae was a shadow of its former self by the time of Jesus.

Plant, flower, insect, shellfish, and animals were the raw material of making Colossae dyes.
While beautiful and treasured before the time of Jesus less expensive sources of dyes were abundant so the dye trade… died (sorry!).

The people of Colossae were tempted to return to the older practices and myths partly in order to return to her prior glory.

Paul in his pastoral letters to the Colossians reminds them that glory and salvation is made full in Jesus Christ and is found in baptism unto the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

Alleluia Verse
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.

Gospel Portion
Keep going! Don’t fall back to the familiar and comfortable.
Keep journeying forward in the Lord.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry