Gospel text (Lk 9,51-56): James and John, his disciples said, «Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?». Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village. As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, He made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. But the people would not receive him because He was on his way to Jerusalem. Seeing this, James and John, his disciples said, «Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?». Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.
Today Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and would like to rest in a village in the region of Samaria. However, the inhabitants rejected him because they couldn't stand the Jews. James and John got anger: they wanted to strike those people. But Jesus reprehends that "brave" reaction. He hasn't come to condemn, but to save!
- Jesus didn't strike those people; He didn't complain. But he had no choice but to "pass by". - God never rejects me, but ... how many times have I forced him to pass by?