June 26, 2016: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Diane Pfister chooses to volunteer with the Sisters of Providence, and this photo shows her comforting a cria who has a broken leg.

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.” (Luke 9:51-62)

Reflection:

I love a story when a person’s journey has a happy ending. If we follow Jesus on our journey, we will surely have a happy ending. However, as in all stories, as our scripture reading today shows, there are times we will make excuses and ignore our good choices. There are times we will say “no” to the opportunities available to us.

Action:

Each day this week ask Jesus to help you make good choices…as you journey to happiness and maturity.