Monday of the
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Amos 2:6-10.13-16; Matthew 8:18-22)
Last year a couple of women completed the Army Ranger training. It was a significant achievement. The Rangers are the Army’s elite, and their
training is grueling. It includes days
in the wilderness with mostly one’s wits for survival. In today’s gospel, Jesus challenges his
disciples to a similar ordeal.
People want to join Jesus’ travelling group of disciples
perhaps unaware of its costs. Jesus disabuses
them of notions of instant glory. He
tells one that he will not provide a home to rest in and another not to expect
home leave. The life of discipleship is
not easy.
We should not expect it to be so today. We may not have to leave family or even a
house to be disciples, but following Jesus still requires sacrifice. We are called to give up some comforts to
provide for the needs of others. More
costly still, we are instructed to let of the egotistic will so that God’s
glory may radiate to all.
