The Would-be Followers of Jesus

Today's Reflections

The Would-be Followers of Jesus 

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Lk 9:57-62

⁵⁷As [Jesus and his disciples] were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” ⁵⁹And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.” ⁶⁰But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” ⁶²[To him] Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reflection:

I will follow you, Lord, but… To three prospective disciples in the Gospel Jesus gives three lessons.

To the first, Jesus tells him to be ready for the hardships and sacrifices of itinerant preaching, of homelessness, impermanence, vulnerable lifestyle. It is a life of self-denial and getting used to daily “crucifixion.”

To the second, Jesus says that family ties and obligations are not valid excuses for not responding at once to God’s call. God will take care of the disciple’s loved ones.

To the third, Jesus says that there is no turning back. The disciple must put his whole heart and mind to God’s call and God’s works. He must give the best of himself to fulfill what God wants accomplished.

Have you been called by God?

In your present state in life,

how do you realize your Christian calling?

How do you deal with compromises

and delays in doing God’s work?