Our Holy Father Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (397)
Nativity Fast.
Read
Galatians 3:8-12; Luke 9:57-62
With following our Lord, it’s an all or nothing proposition. Our reading today comes just after Christ has “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) in order to give everything for us. He is approached by a number of people who want to follow Him, but…. This word, but, is what kills their possible discipleship. Burying your father was a responsibility stemming from the Law to honour your parents and was considered one of the most sacred duties that a person was given. And yet, Our Lord says discipleship is even more sacred. St. John Cassian writes: “Sometimes [the will] seems to be fixed on serving Christ, but at the same time seeks the applause and approval of men […]. It struggles to win future goods but without leaving behind those of the present life. A will like this will never enable us to achieve genuine holiness” (John Cassian, Collationes, 4, 12).
Where are you responding to the Lord’s invitation to follow Him with a “yes…but?” Following Christ comes at the cost of everything. And yet, when we embark on the journey, we realize we have been given more than we ever thought possible. When you hear the Lord’s voice today, drop the but and follow Him with your whole heart!