Reading of the holy gospel according to Saint Luke (9,51-62):
When the days were completed for him to be taken to heaven, Jesus made the decision to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. Set off, they entered a Samaritan village to make preparations. But they did not receive him, because the aspect of him was that of one who was walking towards Jerusalem.
Upon seeing this, James and John, his disciples, said to him: “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to finish them off?” He turned and scolded them. And they headed for another village. As they were on their way, one said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have burrows, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said: “Follow me.” He replied, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” He replied: “Let the dead bury their dead; you go to announce the kingdom of God».
Another said to him: “I will follow you, Lord. But let me first say goodbye to those in my house. Jesus replied: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Lord’s word
Today’s text is made up of two narratives: the rejection of Jesus in Samaria and the demands of discipleship. He did not make disciples by teaching them a doctrine, like the rabbis, but by teaching them to live in another way and manner.
The renunciation of violence advocated by the sons of Zebedee because Jesus has not been received in Samaria is already a declaration of intent. It is also true that the Galilean prophet goes to Jerusalem passing through the territory of the Samaritans to also announce the message of the Kingdom to them. They are rejected and Jesus counts on it, but it does not occur to him to incite condemnation and violence.
It’s a call to follow Jesus who has decided to risk his life as a spokesman for God before the rulers and lords of this world who are in Jerusalem. Luke wants the disciples to also become aware of what this journey, this project and this task is. Why follow Jesus? Why break with family ideologies? Why not look back? Because the task of the Kingdom of God demands a new, liberating mentality.
The followers of Jesus have to be on the way, like Him; the path is life itself from an experience of fraternity. It is not about family hatred, because that would be against the love of enemies that Jesus expressly defended. It is, rather, to put things in their place when it comes to carrying out God’s project, which may not coincide with religious, institutional and even family interests.
The disciple of Jesus opens himself to a new horizon, to a universal family, to a religion of life and not of death. The words of the follow-up are disruptive, but not distressing; they are radical, utopian if we like, because they go to the root of life and because they are the ones that transform our life and our social and religious environment. Jesus wants us to follow him to make God’s reign present in this world. And the Kingdom of God is the only thing that can bring freedom to those who yearn for it.
To conclude, we could be left with the doubt as to whether any of the three characters in today’s Gospel followed Jesus at the end, but it is not the relevant question, but that of our beginning: you personally, after reflecting, Is it worth following Jesus? It is worth remembering that many, without knowing Christ, follow him and have followed him throughout history because his vital project, his vital reasons, his inner conscience, his self, his freedom, coincides with that of Jesus.
Enjoy the presence of God in the Mass and in the family!
#Sunday #June #Cycle