Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Sketch by Brie Schulze

“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. read more