Holy Family of Bordeaux - Province of Ireland and Britain

Was this remark on the part of Jesus a refusal of the man’s offer, or a warning of what to expect? In the same passage of Luke’s gospel we read of two other persons offering to follow Jesus, but again he appears to make them think twice about giving themselves. The offer from the first would-be follower either had not been thought out as to the consequences, while the other two obviously had other priorities which came first—then they would follow Jesus. What was it that attracted these people to Jesus, especially since they were not offering themselves freely; there were obstacles which had to be overcome.

In my own life, following Jesus and his teaching faithfully, has to take priority. There can be no excuse for putting anything else in the way for then I am saying that Jesus comes second in my life.

The words ‘I am going myself’ from the quotation from today’s reading, remind me of the reflections we made on the readings from the previous two days: the call to be a prophet and to build our life on the example of Jesus. The story is told of a little blind girl who asked her father ‘What does green mean?’ Being taken aback and unable to give a satisfactory answer, her father replied: ‘green is green!’ Later, the girl was seen stroking the grass on the lawn, then holding a leaf to her cheek.

It is only by being in touch, by being aware of an existence, that we come to knowledge. This is true of our relationship with God. Thus, through the action of the Holy Spirit in my life, others can be led to the Lord, through my words, my example and the values I hold. In this way we are saying, ‘Come with me and I will lead you to the Lord.

Although these words of the psalmist were written long ago, they are for all time since they were inspired by God, who is faithful in all his promises. In this anniversary year of the landing on the moon, the pictures we received of the astronauts’ vision of our world from space perhaps gives us some idea of God’s vision of the world as described in the psalm. Neil Armstrong’s famous first words on stepping out onto the moon’s surface, ‘One small step for man, one giant step for mankind’ is in contrast to God’s vision of the groans of prisoners and his desire to free them. One voice, the words of a man ecstatic about a human achievement; the other,God’s words of compassion for humankind to free them from their sufferings.

God’s promise of freedom for the problems of the human race has come to fruition in the coming of Jesus, our Saviour. To follow his teaching lightens our burdens, places our trust in his word and establishes a kingdom of peace, justice, love and respect. This is our calling. What do I need to do in my life which may be a small step for me, but a giant step towards building the world that God desires.

God had promised Moses that he would give him help in the government of Israel. To this end God empowered the people chosen by Moses to prophesy—to be prophets, interpreting the word of God to the people, which is an exercise of the mind rather than mere speech. In other words, a prophet through the action of the Spirit, interprets or explains the teaching of the Church.

At baptism, we are anointed as prophets and this comes to the fore when as adults, we live our faith and pass on to others what we know to be God’s desire for a life which fulfils his reason for creating each one. We do this mainly through example—how we live our own life; to be so open to God’s word that words from us are not always necessary. What a different world it would be if adults, particularly parents, would pass on to others the gifts with which God has endowed them. Would that all people were prophets!