13th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

13th Sunday of the Year (C), June 30, 2013

Liturgical readings
1 Kings 19:16, 19-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Luke 9:51-62

"Jesus firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem."



As the time approached
when Jesus was to be taken
from this world,


he firmly resolved
to proceed toward Jerusalem,
and sent messengers
ahead of him.


These
entered a Samaritan town
to prepare for his passing through,


but


the Samaritans
would not welcome him
because he was on his way
to Jerusalem.


When his disciples
James and John saw this,
they said,


"Lord,
would you not have us call down
fire from heaven
to destroy them?"


He turned toward them
only to reprimand them.


Then they set off
for another town.


As they were making their way along,
someone said to him,


        "I will be your follower
        wherever you go."


Jesus said to him,


        "The foxes have lairs,
        the birds of the sky have nests,
        but the Son of Man has nowhere
        to lay his head."


To another
he said,


        "Come after me."


The man replied,


        "Let me bury my father first."


Jesus said to him,


        "Let the dead
        bury their dead;
        come away and
        proclaim the kingdom of God."


Yet another said to him,


        "I will be your follower, Lord,
        but first
        let me take leave
        of my people at home."


Jesus answered him,


        "Whoever put his hand
        to the plow
        but keeps looking back
        is unfit for the reign of God."



Points for reflection and prayer:
"The Lord said to Elijah: 'You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat." (1 Kings)
"Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge." (Psalm 16)
"It was for liberty that Christ freed us." (Galatians)