By Fr. Andrew Kelly
13TH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – JUNE 30
The believing community is on a religious spiritual journey following Jesus. In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 9:51-62), Jesus shocks the community with Jesus’ expectations about the journey.
One person said: “I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’” On the journey there is no guaranteed security.
Another said: “Lord, first let me go and bury my father. But Jesus said, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” On the journey, the kingdom of God is always the priority.
A third person said: “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home. Jesus said, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” On the journey, once the decision to follow is made, there is no looking back.
Jesus sets the standards for the journey. Commitment, determination and detachment are required if the community is to faithfully journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem and the embrace of Jesus’ cross.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for June 30 to July 7
Sunday
1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21
Gal 5:1, 13-18
Lk 9:51-62
Monday
Gn 18:16-33
Mt 8:18-22
Tuesday
Gn 19:15-29
Mt 8:23-27
Wednesday
Eph 2:19-22
Jn 20:24-29
Thursday
Gn 22:1b-19
Mt 9:1-8
Friday
Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
Mt 9:9-13
Saturday
Gn 27:1-5, 15-29
Mt 9:14-17
Sunday
Is 66:10-14c
Gal 6:14-18
Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
or Lk 10:1-9
