A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (# 31)
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – June 27, 2004
“Radical Discipleship”
I Kgs 19:16b, 19-21 // Gal 5:1, 13-18 // Lk 9:51-62
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
As a novice, I saw Franco Zeffirelli’s movie, “Brother Sun and Sister Moon”, which portrays the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The most evocative scene in the film, for me, was when Francis divested himself of all his garments to indicate that he was renouncing everything to follow Christ and serve him in a life of poverty. Stripped naked, he was totally consecrated to the following of Christ. He was utterly free and available to carry out the divine, saving will. That poignant scene of radical discipleship would always be a source of inspiration in my life of total consecration to the Lord. St. Francis of Assisi is an example of a Christian disciple who has followed Christ unreservedly, with absolute commitment and dedication.
Today’s Gospel reading (Lk 9:51-62) on radical discipleship is composed of two pericopes: Jesus’ departure for Jerusalem with his consequent experience of Samaritan inhospitality (verses 51-56) and the hardships of the apostolic calling (verses 57-62). The evangelist Luke presents the call to radical discipleship within the context of Jesus’ decisive journey to his paschal destiny. The Gospel passage begins with 9:51, which is a turning point in Luke’s narrative: “When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.”
The biblical scholar, Samuel Oyin Abogunrin explains Luke’s editorial dynamics: “The previous section concentrated on Jesus’ deeds; this section focuses primarily on his teaching. The first major section (4:14-9:50) climaxed with Jesus’ interpretation of his messiahship in terms of the Suffering Servant (9:18-22). This next section (9:51-19:27) introduces Jesus’ resolute departure for Jerusalem and the cross. His decision to go to Jerusalem is not a casual one but represents a deliberate decision. That he sets his face resolutely towards Jerusalem emphasizes the deliberate resolve of Jesus to do the will of his Father. According to Luke, the journey takes Jesus to his destiny as determined by God’s loving plan of salvation. Jesus is fully aware of his destiny, for he has twice spoken of its ominous implications (9:22, 44). Also, only Luke reports that both Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus at the transfiguration to discuss with him his departure (exodus), namely his suffering and death (9:30-31). Jesus is the eternal Son of God not in spite of the cross but precisely because of it. He saw it coming and went to meet it without hesitation or compulsion. Jesus demonstrates a clear understanding of the Father’s will and an obedient acceptance of that will.”
Thus the evangelist Luke portrays an enchanting portrait of Jesus as the faithful and resolute Son who, in word and deed, teaches the way that leads to everlasting life with God. Christian discipleship means to follow Jesus resolutely on the road to Jerusalem towards the fulfillment of his paschal suffering and eventual glorification. The following of Christ demands total participation in his Easter itinerary of dying on the cross and life-giving glory. In the context of the paschal journey to Jerusalem, the meaning and challenge of Christian discipleship are powerfully delineated.
Adrian Nocent writes: “Jesus is going to Jerusalem for his Passion. We are being told indirectly what following him ultimately entails. The will to follow Jesus requires a blind surrender, without any security for the future. The Son of Man, we are told, had no place to lay his head. Following Jesus also means that everything takes second place to the preaching of the kingdom. Jesus is unyielding on this point: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:60). Following in Jesus’ steps also means not looking back. Once we have abandoned everything, we must not think of the past but simply move on ahead.”
Indeed, Christian discipleship demands radical commitment and resoluteness or uncompromising singleness of purpose on the part of those called to be disciples. It leads to spiritual freedom and inner joy, to a sense of wholeness and well-being. Our total surrender to Christ as his true disciples leads to true security, our unconditional response to eternal life, and our single-hearted devotion to the victory of the kingdom of God.
Harold Buetow exhorts us: “Today’s liturgy challenges us to re-examine the attachments that may be holding us back from a liberated and joyful following of Jesus. Attachment literally means staked to. That may be a plow or a family or a corpse, by way of a strong chain or a golden thread. Let’s choose God with the same responsible abandon of Elisha following Elijah, the same freedom mentioned by Paul, and the same resolve of Jesus going to Jerusalem. Let’s each of us discern the Jerusalem we must face in our lives … that kind of commitment and effort frees us … It makes us free to be different without being afraid. It’s exhilarating, and filled with joy.”
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. Are we ready to follow Jesus resolutely on the road to Jerusalem?
B. Are we ready to embrace the hardships of the apostolic calling and pay the high price of discipleship?
C. Do we embark on the Jerusalem itinerary with inner peace and joy knowing that Jesus, who accompanies us on the road of Christian discipleship, directs our steps towards the heavenly goal?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (Lk 9:58)
Assembly: Lord, teach us the meaning of discipleship and to pay the price that it entails that we may follow you all the way to Jerusalem. May we commit ourselves totally to love and serve you in life-giving sacrifice.
Leader: “Let the dead bury their dead.” (Lk 9:60)
Assembly: Let us follow you with unconditional love and may our choices be for you alone that we may not be among the spiritually dead burying the dead.
Leader: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62).
Assembly: Direct our lives, affections and service for you alone. Let us be chaste in our resolve to follow you all the way to Jerusalem. May we be single-minded in loving and serving you. May our hands be always on the plow of life that we may continually promote the growth of the kingdom of God.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62).
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
A. ACTION PLAN: Pray that you may have the grace to understand and experience the meaning of Christian discipleship. Pray in thanksgiving for all those who are able to follow Christ resolutely on the road to Jerusalem.
B. ACTION PLAN: Offer your precious contribution to the promotion of the radical following of Christ in the priestly ministry, consecrated religious life and consecrated laity.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
SISTER DISICPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
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