Conditional Discipleship

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
1 Kings 19:16,19-21 | Psalm 15:1-2,5,7-11 | Galatians 5:1,13-18 | Luke 9:51-62


Today’s first reading and gospel explore the theme of conditional discipleship, of the all-too-common response: “Yes, Lord, but only when no one else has a claim on my time, and when it can be done in comfort.” That’s not far short of an employment contract, where your service is contingent on certain negotiated conditions.

Instead, Jesus is asking us for unconditional and constant discipleship. In modern terms, it may not be “drop everything and join the clergy”, but it’s always in the spirit of what everyone assumes to be the United States Postal Service motto. Rephrased in faith-based terms, it might read thus:

Neither hunger nor pain nor distractions nor moody blues stays the Christian from the swift accomplishment of their appointed mission of love for others.

As St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians, this mission is simply to serve each other, without reservation or hesitation, in works of love. To this end, God has sent us the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions day and night. All we need to do is listen to the Spirit and act accordingly.

Of course, it’s sometimes easier said than done, especially when we are beset by evil influences and shouty people. But it’s especially at these times that we should take a deep breath of the Spirit (pun intended), look anew on our surroundings with eyes of love, and pray:

Lord, guide my thoughts toward love for others.
Lord, guide my words to show love for others.
Lord, guide my actions in the service of love for others.

Amen.

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