In both the first reading and the gospel, we see invitations to follow. Whereas, when Elisha asks to first bid farewell to his parents and Elijah gives a fast retort but then agrees, Jesus’ response to such incidents of choice is much stronger. Thus, in today’s passage from Luke, Jesus says: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In the second reading, Paul instructs the Galatians: “For freedom Christ set us free …” and …“serve one another through love.” With these words of Scripture in mind, we call upon the Holy Spirit and ponder:
-What means did the Holy Spirit use to let you know the path Jesus wanted you to take to follow Him?
-Are there things in your life—prior to your
“Follow Me” call— which still block your freedom to totally embrace the call of Jesus?
-If yes, what strategies will you take to address this lack of freedom?
—Fr. Tim Shepard, S.J. is a pastoral minister, librarian, and retreat director living at Colombiere, the Chicago-Detroit Jesuit retirement center in Clarkston MI.