Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirteenth Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:18-22*

*First Reading : Am 2:6-10, 13-16*

*“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”*

*1) Wonderful Decision*

In today's Gospel we see a scribe who expresses His desire to follow Jesus 

At the out set the desire of the scribe appears to be very good and filled with the spirit of following Jesus 

There is nothing wrong in having a desire to follow Jesus and to accept him as Master.

That's why it is a wonderful decision

*2) What prompted to take this decision*

We need to reflect the background of this decision by the scribe

It appears that, the scribe has seen the glorious side of Jesus the Master

The divine power of Jesus, the power to work miracles, the wisdom of Jesus and the extraordinary power of Jesus as a leader

Such glorious things might have caused the scribe to come to this decision 

The decision also had some personal interests, personal gains and selfish motives 

That's why he gets a strong reply from Jesus

*3) Jesus Shows the real way to the destiny*

To the scribe, Jesus does not discourage in following Him, but shows the real side of following Jesus

Jesus says *“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”*

This particular sentence shows the real nature of Jesus' way 

The way of Jesus includes, total commitment, self denial, service, sacrifice, complete trust in God, total detachment and the path of humility 

Such a path will facilitate a person to follow Jesus 

So it is a reminder for the scribe to correct his thinking and to make right decision in following Jesus 

*4) Need to aware of the way to follow Jesus*

In today's Gospel Jesus makes it very clear to know the way of Jesus, if one wants to follow Jesus 

Jesus does not force anyone to follow his way. But if some one wants to follow Jesus then one has to have the right understanding of the way of Jesus 

Jesus' way is the way of the Cross,  its a way of humility, sacrifice, service, truthfulness, commitment, faithfulness 

Only those who can follow these things can  follow Jesus 

*5) No Short cut in Jesus' Way*

The scribe wanted short cuts in achieving the final goal 

But it is very clear that there is no short cut in Jesus' way 

There is only one way *The way of the Cross*

This way includes all the Gospel values. Those who want to follow Jesus must follow this way 

*6) Am I ready to Follow Jesus?*

Having realised the true way of Jesus am I ready to follow Jesus? 

Is my decision to follow Jesus is mixed with the selfish interests? 

Have I seen only the glorious side of Jesus and then decided to follow Jesus? 

Do I have any silly reasons to make excuses in following Jesus like that second person in the Gospel? 

What is my real intention to follow Jesus? 

To build the kingdom of God, based on the Gospel Values?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*