“For the Sake of Joy That Lay Before Him That He Endured the Cross” by Phil Russell

“For the Sake of Joy That Lay Before Him That He Endured the Cross” by Phil Russell

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Piety

“Lord, come to my aid!”  “The Lord heard my cry, he drew me out of the pit of destruction.” (Psalm 40)

Study

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” (Luke 12:49)

Action

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader, and perfecter of faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-4)

These are some “hard sayings,” as they say.

It is in this very “saying” that Jesus is telling his disciples (us), the consequences of following him. These boys have come a long way from their fishing to “follow me.” Now, he is giving us his “hardline.”  He is speaking of the baptism of his own suffering and death on the cross.

There is a hidden nugget in Hebrews: “…for the sake of the joy that lay before him, that he endured, the Cross.”

JESUS sits on the throne in Heaven at his Father’s right hand. HE with this great cloud of witnesses “cheering” us onward. Like we heard in last Sunday’s reading from Hebrews.

We are seeking our Heavenly Homeland. That “fire” that Jesus wants to bring to “the earth” in the Greek it is “sarx” also used for the flesh or the body. So, as his disciples, we too, need to understand ... “this Fire” that he wants to bring upon us (here and now).

If we just take a breath and breath in the Life of The Spirit, then we run, with endurance, this race. Jeremiah, you’re not a ”bullfrog.”  You are a child of a Living and a holy and a loving God.

Reach for it; take his hand!