A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 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.”
Jesus encounters people who desire to follow him. To each, he responds in a way that makes them question their sincerity. The response to the man who asks first to bury his father is without question harsh. Whether the man’s father had just passed away or he wanted to wait until his father’s death and burial to commit to discipleship is not clear. Yet, Jesus radically rearranges human spiritual priorities, placing family obligations behind worship of God and proclaiming his kingdom. Another person requests to bid farewell to their family before following Jesus, but Jesus warns against looking back and emphasizes the need for wholehearted dedication to the Kingdom of God. As Jesus does his Father’s will by proclaiming the Kingdom of God, the urgency for us to do the same is indisputable. In doing that, nothing is lost in choices that follow.
Father in heaven, you are present in apparent absence, present always and everywhere in heaven and earth. While foxes have dens and birds have nests, whoever would follow Jesus has not even a place to rest his head. Yet, you are present daily, every second of the day. In the face of death, Lord God of hosts, you are there. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Jesus said to the man with family at home: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Lord, give me the grace to understand what Jesus teaches about spiritual priorities. Help me recognize your presence, Lord, and always put you first.
From the Gospel acclamation: “I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Saint Francis, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.