Daily Gospel Reflection for October 1, 2014

Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

We can all remember a time in our childhood when we lovingly told our parents that we would never leave home. Why? Because home is a place of safety, a place where we feel loved, and a place where we can grow into who we were born to be. Even Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz had only one request, “I want to go home.”

Yet there comes a time in everyone’s life when one must leave behind the security of home. This can be a scary experience. In many ways, this takes a leap of faith on our part, because we don’t know where the future will take us. All we know is that God will be with us always. This is what is happening in today’s scripture reading.

People are telling Jesus that they want to follow him, but not right now. Some express the need to finish up with matters at home, yet Jesus responds to these people, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” Once you begin to follow Christ, there is no looking back. Our encounter with Jesus should fill us with the grace of new life, and instill within us our divine mission to share this new life with our family and friends. Nothing in this life is more important than our relationship with Jesus.

We come together today as beloved daughters of God, called and gifted to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel today, tomorrow and forever. The grace of a relationship with Jesus frees us from the guilt of past sins, bad experiences, and difficult relationships; it invites us to dwell in a new life with Christ filled with mercy and love. Today, may the prayer of our hearts be, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Ponder:

Are you a cradle Catholic or a convert? Prayerfully reflect upon the moment in your life when you willingly chose to follow Jesus. How did this decision change your life?

Pray:

Gracious God, You sent your only son, Jesus, to suffer and die for our sins, that our covenant relationship with you might be restored. Grant us the grace to freely choose each day to follow Jesus, that we may be faithful disciples of Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Copyright 2014 Dr. Mary Amore