The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “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.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Being a disciple of Christ requires a great deal of sacrifice from us, we have to be willing to give up everything for God. We cannot grow too attached to people, places, or things because all of these things are passing and much less important than following in the footsteps of Christ. Proclaiming the kingdom of God through our thoughts, words, and works should be the first priority in our lives. Nothing should come before it, even our families. Material goods cannot compare to the heavenly goods we can store up for ourselves by being willing to follow Jesus wherever he leads us.

How can we detach ourselves from the people, places, and things in our lives so that we can more perfectly attach ourselves to Christ? Are we willing to follow Jesus no matter the cost? What are we doing to proclaim the kingdom?

O Lord, we shall follow you, proclaiming the kingdom of God.

Amen.