July 1, 2007
13th Sunday of Ordinary Time
1 Kgs 19: 16b, 19-21; Gal 5: 1, 13-18; Luke 9: 51-62
Dc. Larry Brockman
“Follow Me”. Twice in today’s readings we heard that command. If each of you are honest with yourselves, then you will have to admit that you have heard that same command during your lives. Deep down, you have heard a call, an urge to follow the Lord. And, as both examples show, that entails giving something up. At first glance, it seems that “following me” means giving up your freedom. Elisha gives up his profession and his relationship with his family, to follow Elijah. The people that talked to Jesus were told the same thing. They were even told that to follow Jesus, they must give up their homes, and not look back. Is it really that hard to follow Jesus? Giving up your livelihood? Giving up your family? Well, scripture scholars tell us that many times the stories in the Bible are presented as extremes. This is done to make a point. The two stories make this point very clearly- yes, to follow the Lord you will have to give something up.Â
What the scriptures are really telling us is that to follow the Lord we need to do three things. First, we need to look forward, not back. Looking back saps your strength; makes you a slave to your old burdens; and diverts you from your new course. Rather, you should concentrate on what’s ahead whatever you feel you were called to do or to be. It’s not that you forget the past; because the past has defined you; has served as your time in the crucible to learn and to experience life. But rather, that you should not let the past consume you. The future is the only place where “it’s at”. Recently I saw the old film “Sunset Boulevard” It was all about a woman who couldn’t, wouldn’t, and didn’t get out of the past.  Â
Second, you need to trust. In both of the scripture stories we heard it was clear that neither Elisha nor Jesus knew the details of what was ahead. They just trusted that God would prevail and would provide. Funny, because that’s another process of letting go, isn’t it. Year’s ago, my wife and I went to Ireland for a vacation. I always plan my trips- down to the very last detail. But, I had been told that Bed and Breakfasts were the way to go. I was told not to book ahead, but just drive down the road, and stop at a B&B when the day was done. How difficult that was for me. But, it was wonderful. It’s that kind of trust I am talking about. Trust that God will provide when the need arises. You have to be aware of your needs as you go along; but don’t let them consume you either. Trust that God will be there, but in His way, not yours.  Â
Third, you do have to give up what seems like your freedom and when you give it up, it is then that you are truly set free. That’s what Paul’s message to the Galatians was all about. To some of the Galatians, freedom from the law meant just that- freedom to do anything that the flesh desired. Paul defined this type of freedom as “the yoke of slavery”. Indeed, this type of self-consuming freedom is really a burden. When you only think of yourself, and that is what consumes you, then you are a slave to yourself, and not truly free. So, the Galatians were looking for the law- what was the line which they must not step over. Paul was telling them that as Christians, they were free from the law. Rather than the law, love must be their guide. Love is the greatest commandment of all. Love sets us all free.  Love does not define a black and white line. That would be too easy. If you resolve to follow the Lord, the Spirit will inspire you to Love as you go along. The rest is up to you when you trust that God will be there for you. Then just always show your love wherever and whenever you are put to the test because it is then that you are following Him and He is right there with you. Always.Â