Sunday, June 30, 2019 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: 1 kgs 19:16b, 19-21
2nd Reading:
Galatians 5:1,13-18 Gospel: Luke 9:51-62)
As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. But the people would not receive him because he was on his way to Jerusalem. Seeing this, James and John, his disciples said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.
As they went on their way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
To another Jesus said, “Follow me.” But he answered, “Let me go back now, for first I want to bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Another said to him, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” And Jesus said to him, “Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Of the three candidates to discipleship that today’s Gospel reading presents, only one was called by Jesus, the other two volunteered themselves. But the fact that they volunteered themselves does not mean they were not called. All three were called on the basis of that standing invitation to all to deny the self, take up one’s cross and become a disciple.
Which of the three were qualified? None. The first volunteer needed motive purification and so Jesus told him, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” The second needed a lecture on promptness because he wanted to say goodbye to his family first. Neither did Jesus’ chosen one qualify; he had his heart on the details of his father’s burial.
Jesus does not want anything in this world to get in the way when he calls. Things as important as burying dead members of the family wouldn’t excuse one from postponing, let alone ignoring God’s invitation. Divine call is always urgent and demands a prompt and radical response. A positive response made another day will not cure the delay. A “right response at the wrong time” will not be as beneficial for lack of the elements of sacrifice, alacrity and love.
Many are called but few are chosen. But if like the many that are called the chosen few also put up excuses in order to evade answering God’s call, won’t God be left out in the cold? – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
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