RBWords

     By the time the gospels were put into writing, the Christian community was experiencing considerable persecution.  Anyone wishing to become a disciple of Jesus was taking a risk.  This situation found its way into the gospels by way of the memory of Jesus' own warnings to those who professed to be his disciples.  If one wished to follow Jesus, one had to be ready to give up everything, including one's own life.  Family, friends, possessions - none of these could be permitted to come before Jesus.  This is exemplified in what to some seems a harsh statement in reply to the filial duty to bury a parent:  "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead."  The difference in following and not following Jesus is life.  If one puts Jesus second in duty, one is "dead."  Jesus cannot be simply one item among others on a list.  He has to be first and all other things have to be evaluated in the light of his status.  A community under persecution had to be focused or the excuses, even familial duty, would erode the faith.

     Even in Jesus' day, his demands seemed hard, as we know from the gospels.  In our own day, they may seem harder in a society where we do not experience the kind of persecution the early community experienced.  Yet, our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and Asia do come under such persecution.  It is more subtle in our own country.  The enticements of the secular world are there.  Is the ball game on Sunday more important than attending Mass?  [That's a common one!]  I'm sure we can all find ways to soften the demands of discipleship, but one has to weigh the risk and understand what is at stake ultimately.  AMEN