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 LUKE’S USE OF COUPLINGS - Judgment hangs in the air. Irony
and pathos. Deception and intrigue. We have two pronouncements-one directed at Herod and
one directed at Jerusalem, two predictions-"on the third day I finish my goal"
and "you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in
the name of the Lord, ’" and two animals-a fox and a hen.
PATHOS AND PREDICTIONS - What ominous words. Foreboding. Wistful. Prophetically
pathetic words. Jesus clarifies and predicts his fate and also the fate of Jerusalem.
Jesus will not be gotten rid of by Herod; he can hunt for Jesus all he wants. But Jesus
will be done in at the appropriate place-Jerusalem. Historians Luke and Josephus tells us
that Jerusalem has a long history of executing its own messengers and messiahs. So Jesus
will be killed in Jerusalem, rejected by its religious leaders. But Jesus will not be the
only to fall; she ("your house will be left to you desolate") will be abandoned
and will not see Jesus until he returns as Son of Man.
LUKE’S BESTIARY - Notice the two animals-the fox and the chicken. They symbolize
the alternatives. On one side is the fox-dangerous, predatory, smart. Such a symbol-like
the serpent (that tempts), the lion (that prowls around seeking someone to devour), and
the wolf (that snatches God’s sheep) reflects the evil one who opposes God’s
people, of which Herod is the most recent predatory animal. But also notice the mother
hen-a maternal image of comfort and protection-she instinctively gathers her young under
wing when danger lurks about. Her love is steadfast (Psalm 36:7) and we are the apple of
her eye (Psalm 17:8). A woman cannot forget her nursing child (Isaiah 49:15).
 In
conflict are you a flight or fight type of person?
How would you describe the person of Jesus? How did Jesus
react/respond to conflict?
Assertive behavior-has to do with being very clear about personal feelings and
thoughts; in this conflict, Jesus clearly speaks and answers his adversaries; how would
such honest speaking impact Christian communities accustomed to being unclear and
ambiguous in the way they recruit for and carry out mission?
 Please
see the homily for this week based on the gospel lesson on DPS.
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