Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 30, 2019 - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62]"No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." [Luke]
At the beginning of today's gospel scripture, we are told that Jesus knew his time was short and "resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem..." This determination is a key characteristic that the evangelist Luke wished to underline in the words that follow. He wrote this gospel for his community of disciples and is making sure they understand the demands of discipleship.
In Jesus' time, travel was very difficult and dangerous. One need only read St. Paul's list of trials, which included shipwreck! [2 Cor. 11:25-26]. It required stamina and determination. There could be no easy excuses or delays. The preaching of the kingdom could not be a part-time thing.
This is where we, as 21st century disciples, come in. There is a tendency in our time to compartmentalize our lives so that our faith becomes just one thing among many elements calling for attention. One may see this in people running for political office, or even in political discussions! Positions are taken that are clearly contrary to Jesus' preaching and yet the advocates would be indignant if they were confronted with the conflict! This is just one example. Others can be found in lifestyle decisions and economic systems.
The journey to Jerusalem as a disciple of Jesus may demand some hard choices. Jesus and the evangelist Luke are determined to have disciples who are not part-time. AMEN