Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they 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.”
To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reflection:

The gospel for today is from Luke 9:51-62. Here are some thoughts on today’s gospel.

Not only must we follow Jesus, whatever the cost, but we must do it immediately and with a whole heart. This is the first message from the gospel of Luke 9:51-62. To follow Jesus means to dedicate your life as a whole without any fear. What do you fear about? The temporary life you have on earth or the final resting of your soul after judgment?

Jesus did not exclude anyone on this message. It is very clear in Luke 9:51-62 that we must set God as the center of our lives. Letting God be first and in charge of our lives is the holiest deed we can do here on earth.

‘I will follow Jesus with everything I have.” This is one goal that Luke 9:51-62 is trying to tell us at the same time. Is it that hard to follow Jesus in this lifetime? The answer is NO. It depends on how well you know God deep inside your heart.

We have to become the disciples of Jesus and we must live with it. Luke 9:51-62 is trying to tell us ‘cost of discipleship’ for each of us. Discipleship means to follow Jesus on the day forward until your last breath. It is to show others the good deeds. It is to love other without asking something in return. It is to love God above all.

We have to look at the quality of our commitments and ask for the grace not to look back. Once we decide to let go of the calls of the earth, we fix our minds to God alone. There is nothing constant in this world but only God remains in the end. This is the perks of knowing and loving God to the ends. – Doki | Helpline PH