[Salvation]

The Cost of Discipleship

Pastor’s Column

13^th Sunday Ordinary Time

June 30, 2013

 

          This Sunday’s gospel finds Jesus “turning his face resolutely toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51-59), meaning that he had a rendezvous with the cross, and was determined to go through with it. So this is what is on Jesus’ mind as we are presented with three encounters with prospective individuals who wish to follow Christ. Let’s see what Jesus said.

          First, a man comes up to Jesus, all excited! He is willing to follow Jesus anywhere! This man represents any of us who are riding high on emotions in following Jesus!  Jesus, in fact, is on his way to the cross. Does this man realize this? Jesus says, “Not so fast! Do you realize that I don’t even have a place to sleep that is my own?”  A real follower of Jesus is not promised an earthly “comfort zone” , but instead will be periodically led to situations, like Jesus, that only the Holy Spirit can guide us through.  A follower of Jesus will be asked to live in the divine providence of the daily moment. Our lives are filled with both joy and crosses too.

          Next, it is Jesus who takes the initiative and calls someone to follow him.  What an offer to receive! Does this man understand how fortunate he is?  Does he realize how many countless individuals would give anything to be in his place?  “Lord,” he said, “I will follow you; but let me first go and bury my father.”  In actuality, this man’s father was probably not dying at all.  What he was actually saying was that he would come and follow the Lord at a later time of his own choosing, without realizing, of course, that it was now or never. Jesus did not have long to live, and this opportunity would never come again for this man.  Sometimes it appears as though Jesus asks more of us than we are prepared to offer, and these are often the moments of our greatest opportunity if only we would recognize them.

          There are certain times in every life in which opportunities are presented to us that require immediate action and great courage. Some opportunities really never do come again.  The point that Jesus is making is that when we reach a crucial moment (and often only the Holy Spirit can enlighten us about these times), if that moment is missed, the thing most likely will never be done at all.

          A third man appears who is indeed willing to follow Christ, but who also wants to say goodbye to his family at home.  Jesus’ answer may sound harsh to us: “no one who looks back after putting his hand to the plow is fit for the kingdom of God.”   Here Jesus is teaching us another spiritual principle: someone plowing a field must keep their eyes forward. If they plow while turning their head backward, the field will be plowed crooked.  For that matter, how can a person drive a car if all they do is look in the rearview mirror!  And, of course, it is the same with us: once we say yes to Christ, we always look forward, never in the mirror with regrets about lives left behind.

                                                                                                Father Gary

[Salvation]

Sunday Scripture Study

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

June 30, 2013

 

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer  

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

Psalm: 16:1-2,5,7-11

Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-18

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62

• The Gospel reading from two Sundays ago ended with Jesus making the first prediction of the suffering, death, and Resurrection awaiting him in Jerusalem (Luke 9:22). Then in Luke’s Gospel, with Peter and John present, he discusses his Passion with Moses and Elijah during his transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), and predicts it a second time after this (9:44).

• In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we see that Jesus is now “resolutely determined” (literally translated, has “set his face”) to complete his journey to Jerusalem.

• Jesus determines to pass through the region of Samaria on his way, but the Samaritans, with which the Jews had a historic animosity, rebuff his advance party since he was traveling to Jerusalem, whose Temple worship they did not accept. James and John, recalling what the prophet Elijah had done in similar circumstances (2 Kings 1:9-14), counsel retaliation. Jesus rejects their advice.

• As he journeys onward toward his destiny, many come to him and vow to be his followers. Jesus, who knows all men’s hearts, makes it clear that anyone who would be his disciple must commit to be so on Jesus’ terms and not their own.

 

QUESTIONS:

• Why does Luke point out that Jesus was “resolutely determined” (“set his face”) to make his way to Jerusalem? What did he expect to find there? Who else “set his face” against the rebellious inhabitants of this city (Jeremiah 21:10, RSV-CE translation)?

• Why does Jesus respond differently toward his enemies from Elijah, who James and John suggest he imitate? What is the difference between Jesus and Elijah?

• Elijah’s disciple was Elisha (see the First Reading). What does the story of Elisha’s call teach you what the response of a disciple should be?

• Why does Jesus take such a “hard line” toward those who profess an interest in him? How does he respond to the excuses offered by the three men (Luke 9:57, 59, 61)? In your own words, what do each of Jesus’ sayings mean? What is his point?

• Of the issues listed here (comfort, social obligations, family concerns), which one would tempt you to not follow Jesus?

 

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 557, 544

 

Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world which passes like a shadow. Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you.

                                                                                                  -St. Clare of Assisi