Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
When I was growing up, I spent a great deal of time longing for “someday”. I was looking forward to the day when I would have what I thought would make me happy- a husband, family, job etc. As I have grown older, (and hopefully wiser), I recognize that living your life in the “someday” mode detracts a great deal from all that God wants to share with me in the here and now. I also recognize that I am a person who loves routine and not venturing beyond my comfortable boundaries. Again, I am beginning to learn that God wants me to look beyond the security of what I know and where I feel at home to live out my faith. Today’s gospel reading remind us that Jesus calls each of us to follow Him in the here and now as we are on the go in all parts of our lives. When we live out our faith in the present and accept His challenge to follow Him wherever He calls us to go, then we can begin to understand what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
As I read the scripture, I often imagine what it would be like to be present with Jesus as He preached about the Kingdom. Today’s reading takes place just after Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. A large crowd has gathered, and Jesus suggests that the apostles travel to the other shore. I imagine that the people are surrounding Jesus trying to talk with Him and profess their allegiance to His way of living. The scribe tells Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” (Mt 8:19) Although Jesus acknowledges his commitment to follow, Jesus explains that his ministry will take Him many places. Jesus knows that He must take His Good News to as many people in as many places as possible, and therefore He will always be on the go. The other disciple in the story explains that he will follow Jesus after he goes to bury his father. Jesus response seems initially calloused, but Jesus is trying to tell the disciple that he must “Follow Me” now- not when your parent dies, or you get more money, or when the time seems right. After hearing these challenging responses, I wonder how many people got in their boats and traveled to the other side to follow Jesus. Jesus wants all people to answer the call to follow Him, but He wants them to know that this life of discipleship will not be without difficulties. As I picture the crowds gathering on the shore as Jesus heads to the other side, I see those who have accepted His call and are accompanying Him on the journey. Although they may not have a clear idea of what the future will hold as they are on the go, they know that they will be with Jesus everywhere that they travel. It is in the living with Jesus on those minute by minute experiences traveling across the region to many towns and villages that these people will come to know and experience what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
Unlike the disciples in today’s reading, I can’t get in a boat and travel to the other shore to follow Jesus. So, how am I suppose to live out this life of discipleship in the here and now, anywhere and everywhere I go? I find it very difficult to consciously be thinking about living out my faith every second of the day. There are so many things that call for our attention. So it is possible to do as Jesus requests- living our faith every second of our lives? If so, I think that it all begins with prayer. We must spend time with Jesus on a regular basis. Through our prayer, His word and sacrament, we come to know how He is calling us to live. With His grace, Jesus then supplies what we need to live our day to day encounters as His disciple. Francois Fenelon (French theologian and archbishop) says it well: “You really don’t even own the present moment, for even this belongs to God. Above all, live in the present moment and God will give you all the grace you need.” Although Jesus and His will cannot always be on the forefront of our minds, occasionally turning to Him in the busyness of the day and offering Him all that we are doing, will allow Him to become more and more a part of our present. There should not be anymore “somedays”, but we should know that the now is where we will find our happiness and peace if we have Jesus at our side.
After we bring Jesus into our present moment, He then sends us out (with Him) to the world. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Mt 28:19) Jesus reminds us that we are to go out to all people in all places and take His Good News. This is not an easy task, since this means living out our faith at our job, at the store, on the highway when we are driving, when we are at home, and when we are far away from home (even in foreign countries.) I know there are certain places that are easier for me to live out my discipleship than others, but Jesus calls me to follow Him wherever I go. It takes a great deal of courage to go forth as Jesus commands. Fortunately, He doesn’t send us without His aid. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:9] Living my faith in my comfort zone (around those who love me and accept me) is not as difficult as being Christ- like when I am faced with others who are abrasive, demanding, and even hateful towards me. When I travel to places where people are different than me- different in beliefs, culture, politics, and even religion, this is when I am in great need to God’s grace. I am still not very proficient at traveling beyond where I feel safe, but I know that Jesus calls me to live out my faith “on the go” wherever He calls. As I think about the reading today, I pause to wonder if I would have the courage to get in the boat and travel to the other side with Jesus to join Him as a disciple. I realize that if I make the choice to follow, it will not always be easy, but I know that my traveling companion will be Jesus. It is in this truth that I find my joy and my hope for the journey.
Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus to share with us Your love and salvation. Through His life, He showed us how to live every moment doing Your will as He shared Your love with all people. With the grace of your Spirit, may we have the courage to follow Jesus at all times and in all places, so that we can also share Your Kingdom with the world. May we live every second of the day in such a way that we give you glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen
- Marylynn Herchline