If I were to sum up today's readings in one line it would be, God does not accept excuses. God particularly does not accept the excuses of people He calls who try to find a myriad of reasons not to follow. Our readings today give us some very concrete examples. When Elijah called Elisha by throwing his cloak over him, Elisha's first response was, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you” (1 Kings 19: 20). Elijah's quick retort is, "GO BACK!" Elisha did go back but he also offered his animals as a sacrifice, destroyed his farming equipment, left his family and followed Elijah.
In today's gospel, Luke 9:51-62, St. Luke tells us about three people who have the opportunity to follow Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. Person 1 offers to follow Jesus wherever he goes. To this person Jesus says, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head” (Luke 9:58). A twenty-first century interpretation could be, “Great, follow me, and I promise you will be homeless, possibly hungry and very uncomfortable the whole time you are with me.” We do not know what Person 1 decided to do. Maybe they did follow Jesus. Maybe they did not. No matter what their decision, it was an informed decision. Jesus approached Person 2 and said, "Follow me." Person 2 responds, with an excuse, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father" (vs. 59). Jesus says, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God" (vs. 60). Jesus could say to us, get your priorities straight. The kingdom comes first. We do not know what decision Person 2 made either. Person 3 says to Jesus, yes, I will follow you, "but first let me say farewell to my family at home" (vs. 61). Jesus responds, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God" (vs. 62). Following Jesus demands total commitment. Jesus leaves it to Person 3 to make a decision.
Is Jesus being mean or too demanding? Elijah seems so much more understanding. The message here is that there always will be obstacles and challenges to deter us from seeking the kingdom of God. St. Paul sums it up in today's second reading from Galatians 5:1,13-18. He reminds us that Christ “set us free” from fear, sin, cultural expectations and anything that holds us back, ties us down, or enslaves us. Christ calls us to spiritual freedom in the kingdom. How we respond to his call and how we use our spiritual freedom is up to us. No excuses accepted.
You call us, O God, to follow where Jesus has gone before,
without compromise or condition
and without counting the cost.
Give us strength to fulfill our commitment,
but keep us gentle and patient
toward those who choose other ways.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
