Too Busy to Follow Jesus - Weekday Homily Video

In today’s gospel, Peter’s statement to Jesus comes right after Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich--to enter the Kingdom of God.” We hear how the disciples were astonished and spoke among themselves asking “Then who can be saved?” Peter and the others have left behind their families, work, boats, and tools and everything else that was part of their lives before meeting Jesus. This is why Peter can tell Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him.  

Meaning Over Happiness 

Yet, as we all know, there is the process of letting go of material things and even relationships that are not rooted in faith but there is also the letting go of our internal possessions or dispositions. Peter and the others have made an incredible sacrifice to follow Jesus, but Jesus knows that without an interior detachment--that when He has returned to the Father then they most likely will return to their old ways of life…if they don’t let go interiorly.   

Fr. Fred preached last week about the beauty and gift of the vocation of marriage, and he included a perspective on the vocation of priesthood to link the two in the sense of how view them. He spoke of how if we see our vocations primarily through the lens of happiness, then when we have tough days or longer--we can conclude that we aren’t meant to be married to our spouse or as a priest to the Church.  

Fr. Fred asked us to consider how we see our vocational commitment---not based primarily upon happiness but instead--in doing the will of God that can lead to happiness…there’s a big difference. 

Interior Sacrifices

Sometimes we need some quiet time or a change in our routines to be able to slow down and think and pray about what is going on in our souls: our hearts and minds…to realize that we have ideas or mindsets that we need to let go of to follow Jesus.  

On the outside we may have given up material goods or even relationships that got in the way of our following Jesus--but we haven’t yet let go of things that get in the way interiorly. These can include seeking power, popularity, or praise, etc. And, then there are the hurts and wounds that we need Jesus’ help to heal and let go of too. Our past or present hurts can cause us to hold onto anger or isolating ourselves from others who need us. 

Giving It All for God

Peter and we, to one degree or another need to hear Jesus’ words of encouragement today too, when He says, “…there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…and eternal life in the age to come.” 

It seems counter intuitive, and yet if you know anyone who has placed their trust in God to be able to let go of whatever is holding them back from following Jesus-- you have a role model to go along with Jesus’ Word.  

And, if you need an image, just imagine trying to walk through a narrow doorway to follow Jesus, carrying luggage with all the clothes that you own…to make it through, to keep following Jesus, we all need to let go of something or somethings. 

May God bless you and your families this holy day as we look at what we need to let go of to follow Jesus. 

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

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