Thirteenth Sunday of the Year: C: June 26, 2022

            THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

First Reading: 1 Kings 19: 16 and 19-21

Second Reading: Galatians 5: 1 and 13-18

Gospel Reading: Luke 9: 51-62

   * First reading is from the first book of Kings. The call of Elisha to be a prophet of the Lord God is narrated in detail. Prophet Elijah was instructed by the Lord God to appoint Elisha to succeed him. When called, Elisha responds immediately with great enthusiasm. Elisha bids farewell to his father and mother. Then he slaughters the oxen he was ploughing with and cooks a meal with the yoke and eats the flesh. Elisha leaves everything he has - all that holds him back from being a disciple of Elijah - and follows the prophet of the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. The Apostle Paul instructs the Galatians about Christian freedom. He explains to them and us that Christian freedom is not for self indulgence but a total self-surrender to the love of God. The Apostle warns them that despite their union with Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit which they received in the past, they have to constantly struggle against the flesh - earthly temptations - which will do its utmost to lead them to sin and slavery.

The cost of discipleship                                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In spite of the many challenges involved, Jesus resolutely takes the road to Jerusalem. A shameful death awaits Him there. He demands the same type of commitment from His disciples. On His way to Jerusalem, three persons meet Him. To the first one who wants to follow Him, Jesus warns him that there is hardly any place of rest for him, if he wishes to follow Him. The second person is called by Jesus. But he expresses his inability to follow Jesus because of his religious duty of burying his father who is dead. But Jesus sharply tells him, "let the dead bury their own dead" - implying that Jesus extends the boundaries of religion beyond dead traditions. A third person wants to follow Jesus but before that he wants to bid farewell to his family members. He too is found wanting because of his attachment to his family. Hence following Jesus is of such importance that there is no room for any excuses, compromises or for any kind of half-hearted responses.   

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Christianity without Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer