Luke 9
If you have initiated a faith group such as a prayer group before, you have probably met certain difficulties – most likely from the members of your group. Because of the negative influence of these persons and thus the troublesome relationships among members, you might have even had to discontinue your group.
Similar things often happen in new ministries in the Church. While it’s very exciting to start a new ministry because you learn new things and meet new helpers and people, the minister should watch out to see who comes to him and his ministry. Sometimes people with different motives and personal agendas can seriously impede the healthy growth of your ministry. And the minister can be left with disappointment and frustration.
When a church community holds an event, people come with different expectations and intents. Although most are well-intended and helpful, sometimes you encounter unpleasant surprises from the participants.
Today’s gospel passage, when we read it separately, may sound insignificant and anecdotal. But when we see Luke place it between the sending out the twelve apostles and the return of them, we realize this short passage suggests that the apostles should encounter many misunderstandings of Christ and people like Herod in their ministry – the people searching for Christ for own curiosity and benefit, sometimes with evil and wicked intents.
Let us not forget that Satan was the first visitor when Jesus was preparing his ministry in the desert. Satan does not leave the Church alone. When we bring the Gospel to ourselves and our neighbours, we are likely to face his force. We run into misunderstandings not only of the Gospel but also of us. And amid all these misunderstandings, we will discover who Jesus is and who we are. I pray that we may find ourselves persevering in difficulties and may answer to Jesus with St Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Most High.”
