The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.”
Elijah set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing, with twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?”
He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
Second reading Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Elijah set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing, with twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?”
He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
Second reading Galatians 5:1, 13-18
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become servants to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Reflection
By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores
“Ang Diyos Ama ang una mong magulang, kami ng nanay mo pangalawa lamang,” (God the Father is your first parent; your mother and I are only your second.) – this is my father's daily reminder to me when we converse about glorifying the Lord by my life. My father's advice is in line with the readings this Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time which challenge us to become true followers of Jesus Christ.
In today's Gospel, we heard Jesus said to the two men who desired to follow him: "Let the dead bury their dead....No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." At first, we may find those statements, discouraging. We would normally say, "You know that I love You Lord, but you have given me a family whom I also love. Can I put them in a good situation first before I follow You? Surely, You will be glad that I treasure them?". And we also tell, "I will try to obey all Your commandments, Lord". Just a try, not certain. And if we fail, we justify by reasoning: "At least I tried, maybe next time I'll be successful".
Jesus wants to tell us that entering the kingdom of God requires sacrifice and firm determination. The road is not easy especially to those halfhearted. Someone cannot enjoy the view from the mountain peak if he stopped climbing when the trail becomes rocky or slippery. A plowman will not yield a good harvest if his plow line become crooked because he started to look back and lost concentration on his job. When God calls us to His church, we are expected to give our whole heart so as to bear much fruit. When we responded to His call, we must never try to go back to the world we left behind. However, because of the many pleasures this world could offer – the lust of the flesh, the power of the hands, and the pride of life – we tend to look back and forget our calling. Just like when we demand commitment from others, Jesus also wants committed followers, not only with words, but more importantly with deeds. This is the type of commitment God expects from us - being ready to let go of everything as well as those beloved persons in our lives, our family. The good news is when we put our complete trust in God, He will never forsake nor leave us. We can have the assurance that God will supply all our needs and will take care of our families.
Are we still looking back at our old ways because we miss the pleasures we get? Reconsider our priorities in life. God is the fountain of true blessings that last forever. With Him, we will be satisfied. As what the priest said in his homily for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, “Never be distracted. Stay focused on the voice of Jesus, our shepherd.”
For God is so committed so we must be committed to Him as well.
In today's Gospel, we heard Jesus said to the two men who desired to follow him: "Let the dead bury their dead....No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." At first, we may find those statements, discouraging. We would normally say, "You know that I love You Lord, but you have given me a family whom I also love. Can I put them in a good situation first before I follow You? Surely, You will be glad that I treasure them?". And we also tell, "I will try to obey all Your commandments, Lord". Just a try, not certain. And if we fail, we justify by reasoning: "At least I tried, maybe next time I'll be successful".
Jesus wants to tell us that entering the kingdom of God requires sacrifice and firm determination. The road is not easy especially to those halfhearted. Someone cannot enjoy the view from the mountain peak if he stopped climbing when the trail becomes rocky or slippery. A plowman will not yield a good harvest if his plow line become crooked because he started to look back and lost concentration on his job. When God calls us to His church, we are expected to give our whole heart so as to bear much fruit. When we responded to His call, we must never try to go back to the world we left behind. However, because of the many pleasures this world could offer – the lust of the flesh, the power of the hands, and the pride of life – we tend to look back and forget our calling. Just like when we demand commitment from others, Jesus also wants committed followers, not only with words, but more importantly with deeds. This is the type of commitment God expects from us - being ready to let go of everything as well as those beloved persons in our lives, our family. The good news is when we put our complete trust in God, He will never forsake nor leave us. We can have the assurance that God will supply all our needs and will take care of our families.
Are we still looking back at our old ways because we miss the pleasures we get? Reconsider our priorities in life. God is the fountain of true blessings that last forever. With Him, we will be satisfied. As what the priest said in his homily for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, “Never be distracted. Stay focused on the voice of Jesus, our shepherd.”
For God is so committed so we must be committed to Him as well.
Prayer
Lord, it is not easy to follow You. But with Your grace, help us to give our complete trust in You and guide us to fully accept all of Your teachings. In this way, we can be able to obey Your commandments until we enter Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Lord, it is not easy to follow You. But with Your grace, help us to give our complete trust in You and guide us to fully accept all of Your teachings. In this way, we can be able to obey Your commandments until we enter Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
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