Amos 2:6-10,13-16;
Psalm 50:16-23;
Mat 8:18-22. Full Readings
The Cost of Following Christ
Beloved brethren, In today's Gospel we hear Jesus saying, “Foxes have holes, birds have nests but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” Jesus went about doing good, he healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and comforted the afflicted. Yet he was homeless and poor, making his home with the wretched of the earth. That was his life and that is the path every believer is called to follow. It is a call to a life of total self-giving and sacrifice; to live for God and for others without counting the cost. And once we say Yes, there is no backing down or turning back, for only cowards do that! How much sacrifice can we make in the service of the Lord? Let's reflect on some aspects from today's Gospel.
One of the Scribes said: “I will follow you wherever you go.” Although our hearts desire to follow Jesus wherever he leads us, without his grace it’s impossible. We have too great a tendency to sin and selfishness. But God’s grace is real and bigger than any selfish inclinations we may have! By our baptism, we have been given not only sanctifying grace but the infused theological virtues of faith, hope, and love that equip us as they are exercised and matured to truly follow the call of Jesus as his children. We have all the tools we need to share the Gospel with those around us. Are you ready to make a commitment of following Jesus today?
Jesus had nowhere to Rest His Head: “The Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Can you be the one to provide rest for Jesus? One of the great tragedies of our times is that seemingly so few Christians are truly responding to Jesus’s invitation to follow him. Many say, “I believe in God in my own way!” That is the complete opposite of Christ’s call to sell all, take up our cross, and follow him. When we follow Christ in obedience and abandonment, we welcome him into our heart and our soul. He makes a little heaven of this sanctuary within us and rests his head there. How blessed we are to be accompanied in this way by the Lord of creation. Let's open our hearts to provide rest for Jesus.
Jesus says Follow Me...Now!: “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” We are all attached to the things of this life, and often have what seem like very good reasons to hold on tightly. Jesus knows we struggle with letting go, and yet, with confidence and firm decision, he invites us to follow him and leave all else behind. Why do we sometimes hesitate? We know that if we abandon ourselves to the One who created us and knows us best, that he will take care of our concerns for this life. Are you ready to follow Jesus now with no going back?
What can keep us from giving our all to God? Fear, self-concern, pre-occupation, and attachment to other things. Even spiritual things can get in the way of having God alone as our Treasure if we put them first. Detachment is a necessary step if we want to make the Lord our Treasure and Joy. It frees us to give ourselves without reserve to the Lord and to his service. There is nothing greater we can do with our lives than to place them at the service of the Lord and Master of the universe. We cannot match God in generosity. Jesus promises that those who are willing to part with what is most dear to them for his sake "will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). Is there anything holding you back from giving your all to the Lord?
Let us Pray
Jesus, I want to truly follow you unconditionally, which is so hard for me. But I believe that if I am generous in giving everything over to you, you will be even more generous in equipping me to live my life completely in union with your most holy will. Amen
Be blessed
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