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Monday, July 1, 2013

Daily Reflections - July 1,2013


DEMANDS OF DISCIPLESHIP

 
When I was in Papua New Guinea, I remember being shocked when I saw large crowds following a person. After asking who this person was, I learned that he was a famous politician. Since it was almost election time, he was campaigning and making his presence felt. It was amazing to see large crowds following one single person.
       Jesus must have experienced something like this when He went through the towns and villages of Palestine. We read throughout the Gospels that crowds followed Him. Jesus was not a politician, but He was a man of truth and many were attracted to His ministry, His person and way of life.
       Today, we have Matthew’s version of discipleship. We find two different characters in the Gospel account. First, a scribe (interpreter of the law) wants to follow Jesus wherever He goes. Jesus accepts his enthusiasm but reminds him that to follow Him is urgent and requires total reliance on the provision of God. Second, one of His disciples is willing to go deeper in following Jesus. He wants to be even more loyal and committed to following Jesus. But he is caught up with family affairs and responsibilities. Jesus tells the man to leave behind the responsibilities — let the dead bury their dead.
       Many crowds followed Jesus but few were chosen to be in His company. We are called to be disciples of Jesus; to follow Him is an all or nothing response. We need to reassess our commitments and priorities in following Jesus. Even family must come after Jesus, as the second disciple found out. The Lord Jesus should be number one in our lives. To follow Jesus involves trust, loyalty and grace to live up to the demands of discipleship. The question now is, will you follow Jesus? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
 
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you willing to let go of everything to follow the Lord? What is holding you back from following Him?
 
Lord, You are kind and merciful. You invite us to be Your disciples and to follow You. Let us follow You wherever You may go. Amen.

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