When people are confronted by the claims of Jesus, they sometimes reject Him. We see this in today’s Gospel as an entire Samaritan village rejects Jesus. The cost of following Jesus is high. We see Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, to go toward suffering and death. As we follow Jesus, we must be aware that suffering and death may be where Jesus chooses to lead us. Following Jesus means denying ourselves, picking up our cross daily, and going where Jesus leads. It is a bit sobering, but we trust that Jesus is for us, and
whatever trouble we face in this world, we know that Jesus has overcome the world.