"I Will Follow You Wherever You Go..."

In today's Gospel reading (Luke 9:57-62), this "certain man" is different from me in exactly what way?  In fact, I am representative of all of these who come to the Lord.  We seek to "follow", but only when and where it is convenient for us.

Jesus is calling, "Follow Me."  We have already "come and seen" - we know the bounties that He has and that He continues to bestow on us.  But the world continues to hold rein on us.  I've not failed because I go to bury my father in the flesh, but who is my father in the world?  Is it my job?  "Lord, let me finish my career before I commit to doing what You truly seek for me to do...."  Is it my family?  "Lord, let me get my children through college before....."  I no less desire to "bury" a portion of that which holds me here than the man mentioned in today's Gospel.  Remember - "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."  (Mat 10:37)

The Lord's admonition, "Let the dead bury their own dead" at first sounds like nonsense.  How can dead bodies bury those who are dying?  But what Jesus is saying is that the things of the world are death.  There is only one source of Life, and it is with the Word of God!  Those things in the world, though they be breathing, are nonetheless dead if they are separated from the Kingdom of heaven, and from God.

"No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Once you've made the commitment to set out on the path, the act of "looking back" is longing for what was left behind.  Can we not see the riches and the benefits of what lay ahead instead?

Jesus says, "The Son of Man has no place to lay His head."  Our Master comes in poverty, at least as defined by the world.  How do we expect to "follow Him" and have more?  For "a disciple is not above his Teacher, nor a servant above his Master." (Mat 10:24)

We are all His servants.  Let us seek to truly accept the mantle of being disciples, those who choose with their whole heart to follow - and not look back.