Obedience Revisited

"They left their nets and followed him." Mk 1:18

Leaving people and places is always difficult, and always necessary. More often than not the leave taking is not geographical, but emotional. We need to stop clinging both to the grandest moments in our lives and to our sorrows. Letting go of a parent, friend, enemy or child who has died not only frees us to get on with life, it frees the person who has died.

There was a powerful article recently in the New York Times (Death) about a sheep farmer from Wales who had rarely left his farm or village but lived a rich life of faith and love, especially for the land and all creation.  The author of the article, when talking with the farmer's son, was especially impressed with the son's ability to return to his sheep and his farm soon after the death of his father. Realizing that the sheep needed caring for and the fields had to be tended, the son embraced the life his father bequeathed to him rather than cling to his father's memory.

The apostles seem to have done the same when Jesus called them, but it is unnerving to read. What happened to their wives and families? Did they take time to tell their families about Jesus' call or ask for their help in discernment? It seems not. Their call was so strong that they had to trust God with the details. So do we. When we let go and follow the Lord, God will guide and protect us.

Today, let go of one memory in order to make a memory for someone else.

What do you need to let go of today in order to get on with the life God wants you to have?