Will I Follow Him?

Today is Sunday. One of the readings at Mass today was from Luke's Gospel, chapter 9, verses 51-62.

Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem. It says he was "resolutely determined" to get there. On the way, at least 3 people expressed desire to follow Him. He did not immediately say, "Yes, come with me," without making known what this would mean for each one. He did let them know that to follow Him would be a serious challenge.

I'll admit, I used to think that Jesus may have been a bit harsh to these would-be followers. He did clearly make known, however, that following Him needs to be a priority, above all else.

To the first one He said that He "the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." I am thinking that the first person was used to his comforts, and that is something he would have to give up.

To the second when Jesus said, "Follow me," the man replied, "let me go first and bury my father." To me this does not seem like an unreasonable request. However now I am thinking - this is just my imagination - that the person's father may have still been living, and the person wanted to be with him until he died.This may have been days, months, or even years away. The immediate call of Jesus would have been long gone by then. (Okay, this may be a stretch, but the man was more concerned about his father's affairs than becoming a follower.) Jesus simply said, "Let the dead bury the dead." He - Jesus - is all about life. 

The third person simply wanted to tell his family "good-bye," that he would be leaving to become a disciple of Jesus. Again, this does not seem unreasonable. In fact, it seems like the kind thing to do. However, if that person would return to his family - again, in my imagination - I am thinking that the family would persuade him otherwise. "What are you thinking?" "Why would you do that?" "You don't even really know this Jesus!" And the person would be more influenced by his family than the call of Jesus. (I would even suggest that if the person did immediately answer the call to follow Jesus, the family who cares for him would wonder where he had gone and go out looking. They would find him with Jesus, and perhaps they would all become followers!)

A main point of this reading from Luke is that once you hear the call to follow Jesus - that's it! - Drop everything. Don't hesitate. Nothing is more important than becoming a follower of Jesus. Comforts are not lasting, the dead will be buried, families will carry on... But the follower of Jesus will be forever changed. She or he becomes like the One who is followed.

Just as Jesus would not wait and would not let anyone deter Him from his mission, we also should not wait nor let anyone deter us from following Him.

When Jesus makes a difference in our life, we can make a difference in the life around us with the power of Love that only He can give. Hope abounds. Faith becomes real. His love is personal, freeing and healing. We come to know God as an infinitely loving Father and we share in a common life with our brothers and sisters. He meets all our needs and more. He cannot be outdone in generosity.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20.

Yes, Jesus, I choose to follow you.