THE WORD BECSME FLESH

Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, 2022

Job 9:1-12,14-16    

Ps 88

Luke 9:57-62

I will follow you...

In the gospel reading this morning (Lk 9:57-62), Jesus declares ‘no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. My grandmother used to say, ‘never look back. Her expression probably reflected the fact that the past was not always easy. The past was perhaps a time of struggle and pain. Therefore, don’t dwell on it; live in the present and move forward. 

There is some wisdom in that approach to life, even though there are times when we need to look back and deal with the past if we are to move forward. The church has been engaging in that work of looking back and trying to come to terms with the failings of the past, learn from the past, and move forward with greater freedom. 

When Jesus speaks about looking back in today’s gospel reading it is in the context of those who have decided to follow him but subsequently keep looking back to what they have left behind. They have made one choice and but they keep wondering what life would have been like if they had made a different choice. They have put their hand on the plow but they are distracted from their plowing by looking back over their shoulder. Jesus is calling on us to follow him wholeheartedly rather than distractedly; he is asking us to commit to his values with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, whatever our state in life. Jesus seems to be saying that there is only one way to follow him, and that is to give it everything we have.

Let us pray: Take, I Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. Amen.