God - My Inheritance Forever

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C - June 26, 2022

Readings: 1 Kings 19:16–21; Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; Galatians 5:1, 13–18; Luke 9:51–62

(Jesus with his disciples passing through Samaria)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/2hsAbLsUXQs

Often we want to do magnificent and incredible things, but there is something else which does not allow us to do. The pulls are everywhere. We live with these kinds of struggles. Sometimes these chronic struggles may tire us and make us disinterested to do even those things which we are called to do because of our job or the role that we have taken up. The liturgical readings of this Sunday enlighten us over this aspect of "to do and not to do," "to be and not to be." In fact, having celebrated two important feasts in this week, the Nativity of St John the Baptist and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, perhaps the righteousness and courage of Saint John the Baptist and the unending and enduring love of our Lord Jesus should encourage us in our path of Christian life of holiness.

1. Chosen from the Ordinary

We have an awesome vocation story of Prophet Elisha who was chosen by God to succeed Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:16–21). It all happens in the field while ploughing it.  The young Elisha was chosen while he was doing ordinary work on agricultural land. God recognizes his ability because he was following other ploughers. Perhaps Elisha had the genius of following the path trodden by others in an orderly and disciplined manner. In fact, that is what desired of the ploughers. Prophet Elijah recognizes in Elisha his successor, who would instruct his people to follow in the righteous of God. As a symbol of anointing, Prophet Elijah threw his cloak over young Elisha while ploughing. In fact, there was no time for waiting, discussion, consultation, seeking time and coming to an agreement. When God wants someone for his work, He does not wait. For there is no room for waiting. He chooses things to happen as he wishes and of course quickly and rightly. 

This is how God's ways are different from ours. In our religious or family life, we take time and sometimes choose the time! Often, that time never comes to do the most important! We waste time in the name of discussions, consultations, protocols and whatnot. In the name of discernment, we waste our energies, money and time, and finally, we say, oh, we cannot come to an agreement or that is not useful. When we think that what we are doing is right before God and the decision that we are going to take is going to help in furthering the mission of our God then there is no need for unending discernment and decision-making processes.  Hene, we need to cultivate within us a quick decision-making process. Therefore, let me ask this question for myself. What would I have done, if I was in the situation of Elisha?

2. Constant struggle between the Spirit and the Flesh

The constant struggles that we go through within us are not always in our control. In the words of St Paul, the struggles are the constant pulls of the flesh against the Spirit. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:43) and Jesus himself experienced this phenomenon. The wisdom of St Paul is very apt to us, "for the flesh has desires against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other" (Galatians 5:17). However, we cannot keep quiet having known these pulls in our lives. We must listen to the Word of God, and listen to the advice of the wise people and thus be ready to embrace the grace that God gives us freely and continuously. 

God wills for us freedom. It is the freedom to choose what is right and what is wrong and not involved oneself in self-indulgence. If a person refuses such a grace then the person will have to bear the burden of not choosing rightly. God wants that every creature enjoys what He has created for us, the inheritance that He has blessed us with.  Therefore the message is to live by the Spirit wholeheartedly. The world of today offers us demands, and challenges are plenty. In the midst of these cultural wars, Jesus opposes our demanding ways. We are invited to gently let go of our petty grievances and demands, to release, to not fight back, but to move on.  Jesus wants us to be free from any type of force, pressure, manipulation or control. Following Jesus means resisting the temptation to turn to those tricks and tools when we don’t get our way.

3. To follow Jesus everywhere

St Luke gives us a beautiful description of what it means to follow Jesus in today's gospel reading (Luke 9:51–62). Jesus is on a journey passing through Samaria to the heart of Jewish life that is Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus continues to teach his disciples how to behave even when others reject them like Samarians. Many people liked the way Jesus' life and want to follow him. Jesus does not welcome everyone to be his follower. If there is genuine readiness only then such a person is included in his team. Many want to follow a spiritual path but it is difficult. It is not for everyone. It is only for those who are ready to embrace both the joys and sorrows, happiness and tears of such following. Often embracing a spiritual path is tough, moreover, it becomes tougher when the person is already committed to it. In fact, salvation is a gift and have the freedom to yearn and earn for it. 

When you look at the life of someone who inspires and encourages, you must be thinking that such a person's life is easy and cozy. But it is not true. Everyone has to struggle, and has to cope up with unpleasant things that life brings; sometimes we may have to face opposition or rejection or feel like we are in exile.  Life is not just roses but also of thorns and thistles. However, out of such situations, God brings out in those people the beautiful flowers of life. In Baptism we have embraced Christ, and have put on the cloak of Christ just as Elisha was enveloped by the cloak of Prophet Elijah. It's a call to leave behind our past lives, especially those things which are not necessary to carry and to move forward with the Lord. 

Questions for Reflections:

1. What is the image of the Spirit you have in mind?
2. How do you imagine this great gift of freedom that God gives us?
3. Can I find the Spirit of God working in my home, within the community, in work or in studies?
4. What are those things prevent you from giving a free response to God?
5. How is God inviting you to respond freely at this time in your life?

Prayer

Gracious and loving God, give us the courage to act with boldness when a brave action is required. May we know how to let go and move on with grace and forgiveness when confrontation is best avoided. Fill our hearts, minds and consciousness with a gift of wisdom to act rightly in those difficult situations of choosing. Direct my way unto you and make me and all of us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men and women, even as we do toward you.

Holy God, from whom all thoughts of truth and love and peace proceed,  enkindle in the hearts of all men and women the fire of longing for peaceful co-existence so powerful that they may never long to do violence against another.  We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. 

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

June 24, 2022