“Following Christ,” is a rich metaphor for the Christian life. The Christian life implies movement: moving from Earth to Heaven. Christ is our guide, our leader, and if we want to end up where He is, we must follow. Sometimes following Christ seems easier, sometimes it seems harder, sometimes it may even seem impossible. In today’s Gospel, Mark tells us that when Jesus saw a crowd gathered around Him, He moved to the other side of the lake. Jesus actually separated Himself from those who were trying to follow Him. A scribe says to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus simply tells him that He will not stop anywhere in this world. The Son of Man only rests His head on the bosom of the Father. Finally another asks Jesus permission to take care of his filial duties before embarking on the final Sequitur Christi. Jesus’ answer shows that no duty is a greater priority than following Him.
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our Christian life must progressively become a constant reaching out in faith to Jesus for healing. There is a constant temptation to imagine we have been healed and no longer need a Healer or Savior. Our condition on this earth and in this present life is that of a beggar. The beatitude of the poor in spirit draws us into the attitude of faith that gains us a hearing with the one whose love despises not the helpless and broken. Our issue of blood is our sin. Nothing we have done, nor any recommendations given by the physicians of this age have brought us peace or healing. The blood that leaks out of our heart is our life, our hopes, and our ideals progressively draining away. Surely we will die without a physician who actually understands our problem! The operation is not complicated, it is as simple as grasping a dangling thread. Our act of faith moves us completely beyond the dead-end of our earthly existence and fruitless striving for happiness. Healer of the hidden corner of darkness in our souls, gently deliver us from the heaviness we cling to! I surrender to your tender, loving, and healing embrace.
Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
The centurion always makes me stop to consider how immense Jesus’ mercy is. What boundless compassion He has for those who suffer. This man, this centurion, commands a hundred men, leads them and directs them. When he comes before Jesus he is so humbled, he simply admits that he is unworthy. This should strike us as somewhat strange because he is not an ordinary man, he is not a follower, he is not someone who just goes with the flow. Most of us, if we are honest, would be in agreement with this centurion – we are not worthy for Jesus to visit our house. However the difference is that this centurion is of higher standing than most of us. Even the mighty and those of high estate in this world must recognize their lowliness and humble themselves before the Lord.