Date: Monday of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:18-22
When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, "Teacher, 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." Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead."
Breaking the text open – background and summary:
The gospel reading for today from Matthew occurs shortly after Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Those moved by Jesus’ presence and teaching expressed desire to follow Jesus. Jesus points out to the first, the scribe, that the journey following in His footsteps will be difficult and involve hardships. To the second, Jesus’ response is one of urgency. It must be understood that the second follower’s father has not died. The second is procrastinating. If his father had died, he would be with the family and burying his father, not with Jesus. Jesus’ words are not callous; Jesus is telling the second follower to put down excuses and follow him now.
Meditating on the text with personal questions:
Do I put off full discipleship because of fear of hardship?
Praying:
LORD, Jesus Christ, I look to You with faith, full of hope, moved by love. I desire to walk in your footsteps, to follow as your loving disciple. Send your Spirit to nudge me, to strengthen me for the journey, to sharpen my determination and resolve. Grant that I may not hesitate in doing what is right and good out of fear or desire for convenience and comfort. I do believe, LORD. Help my disbelief.