Gospel: Luke 9:57-62
As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Mary Burrows RIP and Chris B’s intentions.
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear the cost of being His disciple: “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head… Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God… No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Indeed, as Fr John once told me “The cost of discipleship is never easy and at times painful, but God never gives the back a load it cannot carry, without his grace”. The Lord did not promise an easy life for His followers. Instead, He promised them eternal life which can only be gained through dying to one’s self so that Jesus would live and move in and through us. St Jerome, whose feast day we commemorate today, once wrote: “Do you fear poverty? But Christ calls the poor blessed. Are you afraid to work? But no athlete is crowned without exertion. Are you thinking of food? But faith perceives no famine. Do you dread bruising on the ground your limbs made lean by fasting? But the Lord lies at your side.” In following Christ, there is no looking back. It is full steam ahead!
- How do you balance your priorities in life?
- How did you cope with difficulties and pain in following the Lord?
- “Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” (St Jerome). How does the Bible help you know our Lord more?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Jerome, grant us the grace to carry the load of following You. Amen.
Sincerely,
Pietro
