Discipleship
1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21; Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62
The theme of today's liturgy of the Word concentrates on following Christ. Jesus' ministry in Galilee ended. Now he goes to Jerusalem, the place of His death, resurrection, and ascension. Yet, as our Lord begins His journey, He experiences rejection – the Samaritans do not welcome Him (Luke 9:53).
In the Old Testament “fire from heaven” refers to judgment and punishment (Gen 19:24-25; Ex 9:23). But, there is also another “fire from heaven” that purifies, sanctifies, and empowers to proclaim the Gospel – the fire of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3). James and John had in mind the first kind of fire still unaware that this is not the kind of spirit that characterises Jesus. Our Lord did not come to destroy life but to save it. This is the first lesson in discipleship that we need to embrace.
The key word in the second section of today’s Gospel is “to follow” (Luke 9:57.59.61). Two people volunteered to follow Christ. “I will follow you wherever you go” (Luke 9:57). It is a generous offer but there is a problem: the initiative came from that person. In the Gospels Jesus decides who can be his disciple. “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). He calls those he wants (Mark 3:13). Moreover, Jesus does not accept any conditions attached to following Him. Unlike in the story of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21), for a disciple of Christ there is no more “first let me [do this and than I will follow]” (Luke 9:61). We either immediately leave everything behind (Mark 1:16-20; 2:14) or we are left behind (Mark 10:17-22).
“You are my inheritance, O Lord” (Ps 16:5). These words could be spoken by those who answered the call of Christ. In love with Jesus, they do not desire on earth anything beside Him (Ps 73:25). Even if they do not understand Christ’s teaching they trust Him. When others leave, they remain. They cannot imagine a life without Him, because He has “the words of everlasting life” (John 6:68). Jesus shows them “the path of life”, in His presence they experience the “fullness of joy”, and they will delight at His right hand forever. (Ps 16:11).
Christ’s demanding discipleship liberates from the yoke of the law and from the desire of the flesh (Gal 5:1.13). Some of the manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel contain the words of Jesus’ rebuke: “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of” (Luke 9:55). “Fits of rage” (Gal 5:20) that demands “fire from heaven” for lack of hospitality belongs to the acts of flesh that are contrary to the Spirit of Christ. Paul was also once under this spell. But, when Christ called him to preach the Gospel, he was transformed and led by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:18). Freed from violence, fits of rage, and desire to harm Christians, he became one of them and passionately preached the Gospel in the world.
Do we know what kind of spirit we are of? Do we serve one another through acts of charity? A Polish poet priest wrote, “Let us hurry to love people, because they quickly leave”. Love is at the center of discipleship, because by showing charitable concern for others we fulfil the whole law (Gal 5:14).
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21; Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62
The theme of today's liturgy of the Word concentrates on following Christ. Jesus' ministry in Galilee ended. Now he goes to Jerusalem, the place of His death, resurrection, and ascension. Yet, as our Lord begins His journey, He experiences rejection – the Samaritans do not welcome Him (Luke 9:53).
In the Old Testament “fire from heaven” refers to judgment and punishment (Gen 19:24-25; Ex 9:23). But, there is also another “fire from heaven” that purifies, sanctifies, and empowers to proclaim the Gospel – the fire of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3). James and John had in mind the first kind of fire still unaware that this is not the kind of spirit that characterises Jesus. Our Lord did not come to destroy life but to save it. This is the first lesson in discipleship that we need to embrace.
The key word in the second section of today’s Gospel is “to follow” (Luke 9:57.59.61). Two people volunteered to follow Christ. “I will follow you wherever you go” (Luke 9:57). It is a generous offer but there is a problem: the initiative came from that person. In the Gospels Jesus decides who can be his disciple. “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). He calls those he wants (Mark 3:13). Moreover, Jesus does not accept any conditions attached to following Him. Unlike in the story of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21), for a disciple of Christ there is no more “first let me [do this and than I will follow]” (Luke 9:61). We either immediately leave everything behind (Mark 1:16-20; 2:14) or we are left behind (Mark 10:17-22).
“You are my inheritance, O Lord” (Ps 16:5). These words could be spoken by those who answered the call of Christ. In love with Jesus, they do not desire on earth anything beside Him (Ps 73:25). Even if they do not understand Christ’s teaching they trust Him. When others leave, they remain. They cannot imagine a life without Him, because He has “the words of everlasting life” (John 6:68). Jesus shows them “the path of life”, in His presence they experience the “fullness of joy”, and they will delight at His right hand forever. (Ps 16:11).
Christ’s demanding discipleship liberates from the yoke of the law and from the desire of the flesh (Gal 5:1.13). Some of the manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel contain the words of Jesus’ rebuke: “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of” (Luke 9:55). “Fits of rage” (Gal 5:20) that demands “fire from heaven” for lack of hospitality belongs to the acts of flesh that are contrary to the Spirit of Christ. Paul was also once under this spell. But, when Christ called him to preach the Gospel, he was transformed and led by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:18). Freed from violence, fits of rage, and desire to harm Christians, he became one of them and passionately preached the Gospel in the world.
Do we know what kind of spirit we are of? Do we serve one another through acts of charity? A Polish poet priest wrote, “Let us hurry to love people, because they quickly leave”. Love is at the center of discipleship, because by showing charitable concern for others we fulfil the whole law (Gal 5:14).
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
