30 June 2019. (13º TOC)
Jesus set out from his own land to Jerusalem, where his total surrender to the will of God will culminate. On the way he was instructing his disciples how to follow him. In the face of the impetuosity of the apostles he asks them to be patient and tolerant: “I did not come to condemn, but to save.” In the face of those who claim to follow him he asks them for absolute trust in Providence and not to reserve “assurances”: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”. To others he says that following him carries with it hardships and priorities: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is not worthy of the Kingdom of God”.
To be faithful to the gospel we all have to give up something, to sacrifice something. The apostles left boats, nets and family. Elisha his work, his wealth, his family. We also have to be aware that the renunciation of something personal is integral to the life of Christians.
May the Lord give us all the strength we need to be able to renounce those things that are lawful and even good, in favour of the Gospel and love of neighbour.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
