GOSPEL POWER | JUNE 28, 2021 | MONDAY | Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr 13th Week in Ordinary Time 

Gospel: Mt 8: 18 - 22

When Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, 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.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Reflection

The mention of the crowd in the introduction to this  episode sheds light on Jesus’ response to the scribe who  aspires to be his disciple. The sight of the crowd gathered  around Jesus and the impression it gives that Jesus is a successful  rabbi must have stirred the scribe’s ambition to be a permanent  follower of this great Teacher. Jesus, not wanting to encourage the  scribe’s ambition, speaks honestly of the rigid reality of his mission. It  is not worldly success and security that following Jesus has to offer.  Jesus’ absolute value is the pursuit of his heavenly Father’s will in any  circumstance, even amidst deprivation of basic necessities, dangers  and threat to his own security. No worldly value, not even family ties  can come in the way of accomplishing his heavenly Father’s purposes.  To follow Jesus is to take on his values, lifestyle and commitment.  Attraction and idealism do not suffice. Genuine discipleship entails  falling in love with Jesus

Prayer

Lord Jesus, captivate our hearts, that we may not only resolve to follow  you, but resolutely stay with you through thick and thin. Amen