When Jesus saw a crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, 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.”
Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their dead.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.This is one of the most enigmatic things that Jesus has ever said in the bible. But the enigma is intended for us to figure it out. Peter Kreeft in his sunday comentary on this passage, says that this means that these disciples do not know what they are getting themselves into, and that the task of discipleship is long, hard, and often there is no rest, and it will require everything they have. They cannot be a disciple and hold anything back.
When one is called to service or sacrifice, and it is often normal for many to not want to follow that call. We claim that we have other things to do first. The Scribe in todays reading, seems willing to answer the call, but does not actually know what following Him acually means. You could argue that the other disciple did, and that is why he balked, and claimed that he had to deal with the burial of his father first.
But in either case, I would argue that no human ever actually understands fully what it means to be a disciple of the Lord. But just as it is a mistake to hedge when God calls you, it is also a huge mistake to be over-eager, because the zealous will often quickly burn themselves out. So in order to be in it for the long haul, you must become fully aware of what god is calling you to, and then to embark on that mission with care and humility and total determination.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Please lord today, give me the knowledge, humility, and wisdom to follow your call, and to eventually succeed if bringing a small amount of glory to your kingdom.