“'Follow me.' But he replied, 'Lord, let me go first and bury my father.' But he answered him, 'Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'” Lk 9: 58-59
The cost of discipleship is often high, and nowhere in the New Testament is this clearer than in Luke's Gospel. Jesus demands that those who hesitate or make excuses even if they think they are living according to the Torah, let go of their reluctance and follow him.
The challenge that Jesus places before those listening to him is an echo of this Sunday's first reading from 1 Kings. When God tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor, Elisha knows what it means when Elijah throws his cloak over him. He has been chosen by God and will have to let go of everything to be God's prophet. Slaughtering his oxen, Elisha uses the meat to feed his people and follows Elijah as his attendant.
The challenges of discipleship at the beginning of the 21st century are many, none more difficult for many than staying in the church that is so full of scandal. When our leaders fail to protect the most vulnerable, we wonder how self serving other decisions they make might be, but the scriptures are clear. While we will be tempted to turn away from the community of faith because of the sins of a few, the Gospel's demands remain. No matter the cost, we must let go of our personal agendas, our shame and anger, and live the Gospel with passion and integrity.
Today, ask God what is demanded of you to be a disciple.
What Gospel challenges do you find most difficult?
..."we must let go of our personal agendas, our shame and anger, and live the Gospel with passion and integrity."
ReplyDeleteAnd is it not possible to live the Gospel with passion and integrity and
turn away from a "community of faith (Church)"? Not to do so might be cowardly and self-serving for those of us who are so very offended by the hypocrisy and shameful in its subterfuge and hierarch?y How can we not be tainted by such deliberate and self-serving actions?
I don't disagree, Georgiana. We must acknowledge the abuse of power, and if it continues we have a responsibility to speak or leave. My concern is for those who leave the church and the Gospel. The Good News is still good even when the leaders of the community are sinners.
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