The Feast of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions SJ | Thursday 19 October 2023

Today is Thursday the 19th of October, the feast of Ss John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions SJ, in the 28th week of Ordinary time.

The community of Taizé sing Da Pacem Cordium: “Give peace to our hearts”. As I listen, I might join in this prayer, asking the Lord for peace in my heart, asking God to help me still myself for a moment, so I can listen to his gentle voice, speaking to my heart.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.


Luke 11:47-54

Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’

When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile towards him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Jesus is angry. He’s calling out the religious experts, exposing them for who they really are: here, for their hypocrisy in revering and persecuting at the same time. Can you hear his tone of voice?


In yesterday’s reading we heard Jesus compare his followers to lambs amongst wolves. Here we witness Jesus addressing the ‘wolves’ full on. He seems totally unafraid. How does it make you feel to hear the Lord speak so forcefully to his opponents?


Listen to the passage again and place yourself in the scene. Feel the tension. Sense the conflict.


As this prayer time draws to a close, speak to the Lord, as one friend to another. You might want to ask Him how He would react to a conflict you are dealing with at the moment.


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.