Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 30 June ‘25
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Monday
Genesis 18:16–33. Matthew 8:18–22
Discipleship and Detachment
“Follow me!”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents two essential pillars of discipleship: complete detachment and singular focus.
A scribe comes forward, eager to follow Jesus. Having such a learned man in His circle would have seemingly added value—scribes in Jewish society were well-versed in many languages and had the authority to interpret the Torah, Prophets, and Psalms. One might think that a scribe’s presence would give more credibility to Jesus’ teachings. But Jesus responds firmly: “Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
At the time of Jesus, religious teachers had their own schools, where students lived, studied, and were provided with food and shelter. Perhaps this scribe hoped for something similar. But Jesus clarifies the cost of discipleship—it offers no such worldly security. While food may be a basic human need, sociology suggests that shelter is even more primary; for with a roof over one’s head, one can endure hunger or lack of clothing. Yet, Jesus declares that even a place to rest one’s head is not guaranteed in discipleship. He is inviting the scribe—and us—into radical detachment.
Next, another person is called to follow. He replies, “Let me go and bury my father first.” This could mean that his father had just died or was nearing death. Or perhaps, in line with Jewish custom, he referred to the secondary burial rite a year after death, when bones were gathered and placed in a tomb. In any case, Jesus sees this as a distraction from the path of discipleship and says, “Let the dead bury their dead.”
Jesus teaches that discipleship must remain our primary aim.
Too often, we relegate discipleship to priests and religious alone. But Jesus’ invitation is universal.
The two lessons today are clear: true discipleship calls for (a) total loss of worldly securities and (b) the primacy of following Christ.
When it comes to our past, how should we relate to it? There are three attitudes:
(a) Remember the past as roots: Just as no branch exists without roots, our past grounds us. We must remember it.
(b) Remember, but don’t dwell: Like rear-view mirrors in a car, we glance at our past, but we look forward to move ahead. Constantly staring at the rear-view mirror leads to a crash.
(c) Let go completely: At times, the past becomes a chain—of guilt, sin, or emotional weight.
Freedom lies in breaking it. This is a teaching often stressed in Buddhism too.
Jesus’ words, “Follow me… let the dead bury their dead,” carry deep spiritual meaning.
Are the ‘dead’ a symbol of the past that holds us back? Do they represent people bound by attachments—relations, possessions—that hinder the Kingdom? Or does it mean: “What must happen, will happen. You live today, in this moment, with Me.”
The First Reading (Genesis 18:16–33) helps us understand. God prepares to destroy Sodom due to its deep sin. Abraham intercedes: “Will you destroy the just with the wicked?” He pleads for mercy if 50, 45, 40… even 10 righteous people are found. But none are.
The Lord’s silent response seems to say: “Do not be burdened about the dead. Follow me.”
The “dead” are those frozen in sin, bitterness, or past wounds. Their stagnation may even paralyze others. That’s why Jesus desires to set His disciples free from such entrapments.
So, what is the frozen state in my own life today? In what areas am I dead within?
Let us hear Jesus speak anew: “Follow me.”
Let go. Be free.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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