Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” For the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should inform them, so that they might arrest him.  

The study of Homer Hickam, the principal subject of the movie "October Sky," is a study of determination. From the first moment he heard of the success of Sputnik, he knew what he wanted to do. He did not know how. He even wondered whether he had the knowledge, but he knew that he had to do it. He also knew that he would not have the support of others. And everyone around him--his father, the people of Coalwood, the other students in his high school--did not support his desire to be a rocket scientist.

Jesus of Nazareth felt compelled to go to Jerusalem. Just as clearly, those who were out to hurt him in some way would find occasion to do it in Jerusalem. "We are going up to Jerusalem," Jesus said, "and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles." Even if the knowledge of the Resurrection might make his journey a little easier, the decision to go to Jerusalem meant a certain and a painful death. But whatever the outcome, he was so set in his resolve to redeem people that there was never any hesitation to do what he had to do.

Charles De Gaulle once said that "Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so." Mature people will be determined in life. They will see what must be done, what they think should happen, and then set out to accomplish it. Jesus sets his sight on the place of redemption, Homer Hickam begins his study of the science of rockets. All of us have the opportunity to be what we should be. All we need is the determination to do it.                       

THOUGHT
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son was truly determined to be our redeemer. He knew what it meant, and although difficult, he set out to do it. If we are to accomplish anything in our lives, we must learn to be determined to do it. Give us the grace to learn it well. Be with us, we pray.

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