The Holy Gospel according to 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.” He said, “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.
Reflection: Today’s Gospel is from the memorial of St. Dominic. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus meets three would be disciples. Each one expresses a desire to follow Him, but Jesus challenges them to understand what true discipleship demands.
The first person says, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Then Jesus tells him, “The Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” In other words, following Christ is not a life of comfort or security. Discipleship means we are not rotted in worldly things, but in doing God’s will. Are we willing to follow Jesus even when it uncomfortable or uncertain?
Jesus invites the second person himself, telling him, “Follow me.” But the man asks to first bury him father, Jesus responds with the phrase, “Let the dead bury their dead.” It seems Jesus is being harsh with his response. But Jesus is revealing that the call to follow Him is urgent. There is not time to delay, no excuse that can come before God. We need to ask ourselves, how often do we delay our commitment to discipleship, thinking there will be a better time later?
The third person wants to say goodbye to his family first. Jesus responds to him saying, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” True discipleship requires a focused heart. Looking back implies longing for what we left behind. Jesus calls us to move forward with complete trust in Him, not half-heartedly, but with full devotion.
Each of these encounters invites us to examine our own hearts. Do we follow Jesus on our own terms, or on His terms? Are we willing to let go of comfort, delay, and distraction to fully embrace the life of following Jesus?
Today is the memorial of St. Dominic, priest. He was born in Spain in 1170, and began his priestly life as a cathedral canon. He adopted an austere lifestyle of begging and preaching. He practices simplicity of life, personal and communal prayer, community life, and study. This laid the foundations for the new Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, which St. Dominic founded. Like Jesus, St. Dominic invited people to change their hearts and follow Christ.
Action for the Day: Discipleship is a choice that we make. We choose to follow Christ. Today and every day, pray for the grace to follow Him, without delay, and without turning back, trusting that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Audio Reflection:
Thannk you so much, Deacon Mike. God bless you and Martha.