One who puts a hand to the plow and Looks Back

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 26th Week :  Wednesday*

*Gospel : Luke 9:57-62*

*First Reading : Nehemiah 2:1-8*

*One who puts a hand to the plow and Looks Back*

*1) The meaning of the above statement*

Putting your hands on the plow is a proverbial expression that signifies undertaking a new business.

In this case, putting our hands on the plow means that we have decided that we are going to commit our lives to God. 

With the Baptism we have put our hands into the plow of Jesus or to the plow of new life or faith life 

*2) Danger of Looking Back*

For a plowman to be successful in His work, he must concentrate on the job he started. 

He knows that the only way is forward and not being distracted by the things left behind.

In case the plowman starts to look back, his plow line would become crooked. If that happens, the field he is plowing will not yield a full harvest.

*3) Plowing is the Hard Work*

Plowing is not a easy work. It is hard work. The plowman should have lot of patience in this work 

The field is not ready with one plowing. It needs series of plowing every day 

Only after plowing many times the Field is ready for the cultivation

There is not short cut for plowing. Plowing has to follow the normal course of action

*4) plowing is the important and first work*

As we know the harvest work begins with plowing. 

Plowing is the first stage in the harvest work 

If the plowing becomes fruitful then the land becomes fruitful and we are able to reap a good harvest 

So one needs to concentrate on the plowing work. It needs closer attention

*5) Putting hands into the plow*

It is a life time commitment for the Lord to enter into a divine relationship with Jesus 

It is a life time commitment to the family life, in the context of the sacrament of matrimony to live a family life with love and fidelity

It is a life time commitment by a religious to serve in the vineyard of the Lord, to proclaim the Goodnews of the Lord

So there is no looking back in this context 

*6) The various plows of Jesus*

The plow of sacrifice

The plow of love 

The plow of forgiveness

The plow of truth 

The plow of sharing 

The plow of humility

The plow of faithfulness

The plow of the Cross

The plow of generosity

The plow of simplicity

The plow of prayer 

So there is no choice to look back. Look forward and plow the field with the help of these plows 

Am I ready for this mission? 

Am I looking forward or looking back?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*