A Vision of Peace and Mercy

Homily for Tuesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings offer a powerful contrast and convergence around the themes of mission, mercy, and the universal call to God's kingdom.

In the Gospel of Saint Luke, we have reached an important moment that divides this particular Gospel into two distinct parts. Over the past few weeks we have been reading about Jesus’ mission in Galilee, a region of Israel that is populated not only with the Jewish people but also a large population of Gentiles. Through his many miracles and his preaching, Jesus has not ignored the Gentile people. He has reached out to them just as he has reached out to his Jewish brothers and sisters. However, at the end of chapter nine we read that Jesus, realizing that his hour has come, the time for him to be lifted up, sets His face toward Jerusalem, knowing the suffering ahead. Saint Luke emphasizes that Jesus makes this decision with resolute determination.

Almost immediately, a Samaritan village rejects Him. James and John respond with the desire to call down fire upon this village. We are not surprised that Jesus rebukes James and John —choosing mercy over vengeance.

In the reading from the prophet Zechariah, we are told that the prophet has a vision of nations streaming to Jerusalem, seeking the Lord and saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah’s prophecy envisions a future where Jerusalem becomes a beacon of peace and divine presence, drawing all people. It is obvious that this prophecy from the Hebrew Scriptures, like all prophecies, is fulfilled in Jesus. Because Jesus chooses mercy over vengeance, he is the beacon of peace that draws all people.

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is not just geographical—it’s theological. He walks toward rejection, suffering, and death, yet He responds not with wrath, but with mercy. Human beings tend to want to retaliate when they experience rejection. Jesus chooses a better path and teaches us to respond with mercy as well. Only when we learn this lesson will the vision of unity, peace, and reconciliation be completely fulfilled.