Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 9, 51-62
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’
Following Jesus
On this Sunday we find Jesus being compassionate with others but demanding with his followers, with his closest ones, just look at how he rebukes John. Following Jesus is a free decision but it is demanding. Following implies renunciation and sooner or later it becomes difficult, and must be achieved with humility. Let us look at three points:
1) To leave everything for the Lord. At the beginning, one follows the Lord with elation, but sometimes we want to give up easily when storms break out. When we have just started out, we want to evangelize the whole world. And we must be aware of the fact that true commitment comes from the blows that we must face in life; blows and setbacks mold us, so to say. The renunciation that we made at the beginning of our following is consolidated over time.
2) To walk according to the Spirit. This implies having the ability to listen to what God wants from you and where He wants you to go. The Holy Spirit surprises you. Do not attempt to control the Holy Spirit, you have to learn to let yourself be led by Him and build your life in Him.
3) Do not look back. Being determined is the key. I understand that during your life there are moments of nostalgia, memories that strike you and doubts that weaken you, the “would have been” or “would have done” appear. But don’t let this discourage you, continue forward, take your chances and recognize that you need God. Remember that God never abandons you.
I don’t deny that following Him is difficult, but because it is hard, we know that it brings great things to our life. Jesus does not leave you alone. Do not leave him alone, follow him, keep going, do not give up, keep going even if it is difficult. Always remember that Heaven is our goal.
May God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
