13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
1 Kings 19:16b, 19–21
Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–8, 9–10, 11
Galatians 5:1, 13–18
Luke 9:51–62
Discipleship is a living relationship. Both the disciple and the mentor are learning how to move forward in their relationship and in the story that will unfold as the fruit of their relationship. As we return to the Gospel of Luke and the readings assigned to Ordinary Time, we are invited to learn the meaning of discipleship.
The Gospel throws us into an intense time for Jesus and His disciples. “When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” Luke echoes the text of the servant in Isaiah, telling us that Jesus “set His face like flint” toward the goal of His journey. The encounters along the way emphasize the need for the disciple who is following to have a similar attitude.
The “sons of thunder” show zeal in their enthusiasm to seek revenge on the Samaritans who do not welcome their company due to their journey’s goal – Jerusalem. However, that zeal is misdirected. What is needed is to keep our eyes on the goal.
Other potential disciples show a failure to note the importance of total surrender to the Master. Attachments, interior and exterior, can tempt us away from full commitment. Jesus points out the fault but does not berate the imperfect disciples. He keeps His own sights set on the goal. The difficulty of the journey we take as disciples is not hidden. We must choose. Perseverance in the decision, “setting our faces like flint” is required.
The call of the prophet Elisha as successor to Elijah is narrated in the first reading. We should recall that God Himself told Elijah to identify his successor when Elijah experienced the “still small voice” at Mount Horeb. At a moment when the prophet was in great distress in spite of his success in the battle with the prophets of Baal and in calling for rain after the time of drought, God charged him to get back in the game and to ensure continuity in the prophetic ministry. We see in this short account that Elijah follows through. Now, it is his turn to charge Elisha to respond fully to his call.
There are many obstacles in our own journey of discipleship. Some come from the world around us, expectations placed upon us by others. But the greatest challenge is from within. We can be fearful of losses. Our attachment to our understanding of ourselves and our own manner of doing things can keep us from committing ourselves fully.
Three questions can assist us to become true disciples. Do we have our eyes set on the goal established by Lord Himself? Is our heart invested first in the relationship we have with Jesus? Are we willing to pay the price for remaining as disciples of the Lord in spite of what others might choose?
The destination is Jerusalem. It is the Paschal Mystery, the share in the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord that is tailored for us personally.
The relationship that is central is our relationship to the person of Jesus Christ on His own terms. We might think we have figured Him out, but we cannot “tame” Him. This relationship will always be more costly than we might imagine. Full investment in the relationship will cause us to wonder.
Letting go of attachments is an intensely personal experience. As we journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem, we will find that some companions we relied upon will not be with us. Ideas we had about what the journey would be will change. What we might consider personally valuable will be lost along the way.
We are free. The Lord calls us to be disciples. It falls to us to make the decision. Will we join the Lord and “set our face like flint” toward Jerusalem?
“You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”