Would-be Disciples of Jesus (Lk. 9:57-62)

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 59 And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.” 60 But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 [To him] Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

At the start of Jesus’ ministry, the first disciples left everything and followed him (Lk. 5:11, 28).  Now that Jesus is approaching the end of his ministry some of the new would-be disciples are still attached to their old way of life.  Jesus was firmly committed to going to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51), even though he knew what was awaiting him there and his disciples tried to dissuade him (Mk. 8:32).  His disciples must be just as committed to proclaiming the Kingdom of God no matter the obstacles or the cost. 

The ways of the kingdom of God are different from human ways.  Jesus used exaggerations to make this point.  “Let the dead bury their dead (v. 60)” is interpreted to mean let those who do not seek the Kingdom of God, the spiritually dead, bury the physically dead.  The plow in antiquity was drawn by oxen and the plowman needed to concentrate and be steadfast to drive the oxen and at the same time create a straight furrow.  Disciples must be willing to renounce family for the sake of the Gospel.  Not everyone is prepared to receive the reign of God in their lives.

Almighty God, many times we do not see the attachment to things that are stumbling blocks to living the life you planned for us.  Help us to live our commitment of service to Christ and experience the genuine holiness you unreservedly offer to us.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

__________________________________

References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.