Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Reflection

Jesus is on a journey that He knows is the final stage of His ministry. And it's clear that this ministry has consumed Him completely, He has no rest. But what He wants so much is to ignite a fire in His followers that they have that same passion. So they say, I want to follow you. And then he says, Well, then come right now.

Come. Don't go back and say goodbye to people. Don't go back and close up something else. No. When you see what you are called to be in me, through me, you will do it instantly and you won't look back. You won’t see how it's going. You'll just know that the direction is correct.

Closing Prayer

Father, enthusiasm is a quality that we are filled with God, filled with His desire to heal, to bring peace, to bring hope to people. Awaken this in us as fully as possible, so that we can feel the importance of this message that we are asked to not just talk about, but to live it. To live in a world where we truly love those who are around us and truly want what's best for them. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross