No Excuses Allowed

~~~Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time~~~

 

~~1 King of Kings 19:16b, 19-21~~Psalm 16 ~~Galatians 5:1, 13-18~~Luke 9:51-62~~

 

Why was it easier for uneducated fishermen to leave their nets behind to 'follow' Jesus?

Today we find the invitation to 'follow him' so challenging.

We, like the two people in the gospel, can find so many excuses.

 

What excuses have you given yourself for not 'following' Jesus faithfully?

 

The gospel also presents us with procrastination

 as a reason to not 'following' Jesus.

While God is certainly patient with us, when he calls

we should answer as quickly as possible.

 

What are you waiting for? What if the invitation only comes once?

Jesus is not static; he moves on.

 

I have often wondered why his apostles 'followed' him so promptly...

was it his voice, his demeanor, his eyes, the expression on his face?

 

They certainly did not 'follow him' for any of his earthly possessions...

for he did not even have a place to lay his head.

 

 

Following Jesus…

If you are following Jesus, you cannot stay in the garden praying.

You cannot retreat to the desert alone.

You cannot lock yourself away in the upper room.

You cannot become stuck in fear. You cannot live paralyzed unable to walk.

If you are following Jesus you must go all the way to the foot of the cross.

You must accept ownership of your contribution in his crucifixion.

You must take up your cross and carry it to the foot of his cross.

You must let the salvific drops of his blood splash on you.

If you are following Jesus you must get close enough

to experience his glory and his pain.

Following Jesus is not sitting at home in your comfy arm chair.

 Following Jesus means walking the dusty roads.

 Following Jesus means knowing when to kick off the dust…

...knowing when to move forward….knowing when to leave.

Following Jesus means allowing him to mold you and use you as he wills;

not as you may desire. Following Jesus means you are

 strong and convicted in your faith.

Every day you follow Jesus you open yourself up

to possibilities beyond your wildest imagination.

Following Jesus is not for wimps; it requires stamina and perseverance.

Every day you follow Jesus he showers you

with sufficient grace to make it through one more day.

Every day you follow Jesus you are abundantly blessed.

He is the way, the truth, and the life.

He leads us to green pastures.

He is the light for the path. He always shows us the way to love.

 

When you commit to 'following Jesus' your cup will be overflowing with Blessings.