Daily Catholic Lectio. Mon, 1 July 2024. Cost of following

Daily Catholic Lectio

Mon, 1 July 2024

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Monday

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16. Matthew 8:18-22

Cost of following

Following Jesus requires a total commitment, even above earthly comforts and obligations.

The gospel reading begins with a remark that ‘many people surrounded Jesus.’ The growing crowds around Jesus and his popularity were attractions to many. These might have influenced some to follow Jesus. However, making a conscious decision to follow Jesus is highly important.

The Scribe’s Enthusiasm (v. 18): A scribe, a respected religious scholar, is eager to follow Jesus “wherever you go.” This portrays the initial excitement and passion some may feel about following Jesus.

Counting the Cost (vv. 19-20):

Jesus warns the scribe about the sacrifices involved. He emphasises the lack of material comforts (“the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”). They say, “Time belongs to God, and space belongs to human persons.” Our space or place defines our identity and mission. However, place could become a space of our binding and constraint. Jesus informs his prospective disciple that a disciple must be ready to embrace and celebrate the uncertainty of life and must be internally free. Moreover, following Jesus does not promise a comfortable shelter.

Dead Burying the Dead (vv. 21-22):

The second person (“another”) approaches with a seemingly reasonable request: to bury his father first. Jesus’ response, “Let the dead bury their dead,” is a strong metaphor for prioritising the Kingdom of God over earthly concerns. And the disciple must not be preoccupied with the future.

What are the lessons for us?

(a) Following Jesus demands total commitment. In order to remain in this commitment one must let go of his comforts and worldly responsibilities.

(b) A disciple of Jesus is invited to be free from worries, preoccupations; he must have freedom and be ready to embrace the uncertainties of life.

(c) An undivided heart is the bottom line. One who chases two rabbits will catch none. A divided heart causes anxieties, distractions, and depression.

In the first reading, the Lord God, through Amos, points out to the people of Israel the injustice that prevailed among them. This injustice emerged from their lack of prioritising God. That led to aberrations in their relationship with each other.

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It is highly necessary for us to be clear about what we want out of life, where we want to go, and what we want to achieve. All successful people have one thing in common: they know where they are going. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 137).

May this new month bring us a lot of blessings!

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy