(The Samaritans) 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.
In my 47 years as a priest, I've witnessed more than a few quarrels among priests. But I remember one particular incident when several fellows were going at it until the bishop (retired military) spoke, "Knock it off!" They settled down immediately. I hear Jesus doing the same thing in today's gospel, and I see the quarrelsome disciples suddenly silenced.
Given that today's first reading about Elisha's immediate obedience to Elijah sets the pattern for Jesus's disciples, our theme today is not settling disputes but the freedom of the Gospel. It entails that ready willingness to follow the Lord wherever he might lead us, to follow our shepherd like sheep, and be still when he says, "Knock it off!"
Our obedience, of course, begins with the Lord's. Like any competent leader, he will not ask anything of us which he has not demanded of himself. Hearing an eager volunteer's declaration -- "I am ready but first...." -- he replies with scorn, "Let the dead bury their dead!"
We take many of Jesus's teaching literally, but this one is not about how to conduct a funeral. It does add, however, to our appreciation of the Lord's human nature. He can be abrupt and impatient on occasion. That would-be disciple seemed to have no appreciation of the sacrifices Jesus had made, much less the one he would make. Nor was he ready to go with the Lord to Jerusalem. In fact his apparent obedience was nothing more than idle boasting. He was a resounding gong. a clashing cymbal. And the Lord knew a fool when he met one.
I think of Thomas Merton's saying, "The Lord cannot save those who do not exist." When we pretend to be something we're not, we create imaginary persons and try to persuade others that this is who we are. We might wish we could be like that. But they're imaginary; they have no being, and they're not worth saving.
But he does call you and me to follow him, and he will not tolerate our looking back. Children do not want to hear about the career their parents might have had had they not been born. They cannot imagine life without them, nor should a parent speculate about a life without children. They have put their hands to the plow.
Today's stern words about burying the dead and distracted farmers remind us that the Gospel is deadly serious. There is no time for foolishness and no place for stupidity. Many Americans seems to believe that if they're sincerely wrong the Lord will forgive them for it. Somehow sincerity is supposed to make ignorance okay, and mistakes accurate.
I don't find that implausible story in the Bible. Foolishness and wisdom are opposites; they correspond with evil and good. The wise follow the Lord; they are just and their lives are justified. The foolish are wicked; they choose the path of perdition. "The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves. (Proverbs 18:7)
We have seen that tragically played out as many Americans refused to be inoculated against Covid 19 and died. The virus didn't care about their sincere reasons and persistent doubts. It didn't judge them; it simply killed them. We see the tragedy continue as millions arm themselves and their homes with firearms. They are dying of whiteness as they use the same guns to kill themselves and their loved one. This fatal foolishness condemns them to poverty, poor health care, and early death. Their sincerity cannot save them.
In the nineteenth century, Saint John Henry Newman reminded his contemporaries that those who pick and choose from God's revealed word what they want to believe do not listen to God. They prefer foolishness and place themselves beyond mercy. "Let the dead bury their dead!" Jesus says to them. If we are saved by faith in the truth, we are condemned for believing falsehood.
Each day with our morning prayer, we must beg the Lord to give us wise and docile hearts. We want to hear his word, obey his Spirit, and silence our preferred beliefs and implausible opinions.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.