As we all know, following Jesus is not just for priests and religious; it is for everyone. But our Lord reminds us in today’s Gospel that following him is not easy; it demands a proper attitude and the willingness to live like he did: in utter simplicity and detachment from material support. As he says, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head” (v 20). And this is just one aspect of discipleship. The actual experience, the difficulties and the challenges that one encounters in the carrying out of one’s mission, may be far enormous. Others even had to pay their lives for it. Still, we are not discouraged nor do we run away from our mission. Jesus’ example of perseverance and utter dependence on the Father will give us strength and resolve. Are we experiencing challenges at the moment in our Christian tasks? Or are we tempted to abandon simplicity and seek comfort and security instead, in the name of success? Let us not forget that people are more evangelized not by the “success” of our work, but by the spirit by which we carry it out.

“The Lord is kind and merciful.”

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, 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.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”