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Monday, June 24, 2019

Reflection for Sunday June 30, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:51-62

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62
When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

And to another he said, "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." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
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Reflection:
Are you thinking of following Jesus? Many want to serve the Lord or serve in the church for the wrong reasons. Wrong reason number one: I want to follow Jesus because I want to become popular in my community. Wrong reason number two: I want to follow Jesus because I want to be influential and powerful in my community.

When Jesus was not allowed entry to Samaria. The disciples James and John immediately asked Jesus:  "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54)?" During that instance, James and John had the mindset of a typical follower who follows for the reason of influence and power.  

Why do you want to become a follower of Jesus or why do you want to serve in your church? Is it because of prestige, power and honor? If your answer is yes, you have the wrong reason in following the Lord. Why? Because true followership for Christ entails tons and tons of sacrifice. It requires boundless humility and huge amount of perseverance.

One way or another some of us may have felt that we were called by God to serve Him and His people. Let us always remember that this call is always to help Jesus carry His cross. This call is not for us to reap honors, power and prestige. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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