Following Jesus - Weekday Homily Video

When I was growing up, we had a pet cat and a few chickens at home. They always loved my mom the best and followed her everywhere. They would walk behind her, back and forth, whenever she went in and out of the house. We kids did the same. We mostly followed Mom wherever she was; whichever room she was in, we were there, too. Even when she left the house, the pets and us kids followed her, feeling we belonged to her. We knew that she loved us and that by being with her, we were safe. She was our protector and shelter, and we felt no harm would come to us if we were by her side.

Today's reading speaks of another kind of following. The Gospel points out two men from the crowd who seek to follow Jesus. They don't want to be just onlookers or following him like pets do; they seem more interested in following Jesus more closely, loving Him more dearly, and knowing Him more intimately. One person comes up to Jesus and desires to follow the Master wherever He goes, while the other desires to follow Jesus but has priorities that he needs to consider. Jesus challenges the second man to follow Him but to leave his family behind.

Burying the Dead

In ancient Rome, it was the custom to bury all individuals because it was believed that not burying a body would negatively affect the soul in the afterlife. Given this belief, the Roman practice of denying burial to executed criminals is especially tragic.

Among the Jewish community, burial is a sacred obligation. Taking care of parents and attending to their funerals are the final acts of filial love that children should fulfil. Additionally, burying non-relatives is considered a charitable deed within the community.

Could Jesus be unmindful of this sacred duty? Could he not concede to a prospective disciple a delay of a few hours so he could first do the last rites due to his dead father? It is hardly conceivable that the compassionate Jesus would not allow someone to perform a sacred obligation.

Postponing Comfort

It is important to remember that from all indications, the would-be disciple's father is not dead yet. What the man wishes is for Jesus to permit him to wait first for his father's death, whenever that happens, so that he can provide for his funeral and then follow Jesus peacefully.

It is natural for us to seek comfort; we look for equilibrium or to avoid confrontation. We detest uncertainties that make us very anxious! Whatever it is that makes us comfortable, consciously and unconsciously, we seek it. It could be material, emotional, or physical comfort; we all seek our comfort zones! For Jesus, this is too much attachment.

Following Jesus is urgent and immediate and requires an active response. We are not given the choice to postpone our decisions and actions. When we do God's work, we put our heart and mind into it. There is no guarantee of a roof over one's head or shelter from the weather. One must be willing to go wherever and whatever it costs. We give the best of ourselves to fulfil what God wants us to accomplish.

How do we continue to respond to Jesus' call to follow Him? Can we imagine ourselves in those men's shoes? Do we follow Jesus even if there is no guarantee of how things will turn out?