The Lord is kind and merciful.— Psalm 103:8

Mass readings: Genesis 18:16-33 / Matthew 8:18-22 

No Excuses 

“Let the dead bury their dead.” Jesus’ response in today’s Gospel to the disciple who wanted to bury his father sounds pretty harsh. Shouldn’t I expect Him instead to say something like, “Find an extra shovel, I’ll help you”? It’s possible Jesus doesn’t believe the man’s excuse. Or that, “Let me bury my father” means something more halfhearted, like “I’ll think about following You when my parents have passed away.” 

In any case, the Lord’s message is consistent with everything He has tried to teach to this point: This life on earth is temporary. Detach yourself from anything that distracts you from the real life to come. Does that teaching seem harsh to me? The measure of its harshness is the measure of my worldly attachment. 

Prayer: Jesus, separate me from all obstacles to following You.