When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, Jesus resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.   

Colbie Caillat’s song "Bubbly" is about feelings: "I’ve been awake for a while now," she begins her song, "you’ve got me feelin' like a child now, 'cause every time I see your bubbly face, I get the tinglies in a silly place. It starts in my toes, makes me crinkle my nose, wherever it goes I always know that you make me smile. Please stay for a while now, just take your time, wherever you go." She sings of the good feelings of a love relationship: she really likes her boyfriend, and wants him to know it. People in love should enjoy their feelings, but no matter what our feelings are, feelings are a force to be reckoned with, and everyone of us should know where they may lead.

The Apostles had strong feelings as they worked with Jesus. At times, they wanted to act on those feelings and let it dictate behavior. When a group of people of a town would not accept Jesus, his Apostles James and John, Apostles whom Jesus had nicknamed "sons of thunder" because they acted on feelings of anger, wanted to punish the people of the town. Jesus told them to control their feelings. Feelings should never control a situation.

Feelings are very interesting to study. We all have them—sometimes they are quite strong, and we show them by being very happy or pleased with what is happening, as in Colbie Caillat's song. Sometimes, however, as in the Gospel passage, feelings are full of pain, or hatred or disappointment or anger, what might be called negative feelings. If we act on them, the chances are that we may hurt someone or even ourselves.

Perhaps one of the things about feelings that we should think about is that feelings are just that—feelings. They may not even match the realities of life, even as we are certain that we are experiencing them. If the feelings are good and make us feel good, we have to put them into proper perspective, and realize that life will go on. Likewise the bad feelings must be put into some type of perspective—some general view of what is going on in our lives—and again realize that life will go on. Whether good or bad, we have to work with our feelings, understanding that we can never let feelings control us. 

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son had control of his human feelings. He understood that just because he felt good or bad did not necessarily mean that he had to act in a certain way. Help us learn how our feelings work so that we can control them, and not let them control us. Be with us, we pray.  

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America