Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time. Year II (St Jerome). Job.9:1-13,14-16; Luke 9:57-62
Some years ago, I saw the movie “Poets Society” for the first time. I had never seen such a moving film in my life. It was about taking and acting on the opportunities that life offers, without waiting or procrastinating. Today, Jesus encourages three would-be disciples. To the first who wanted to follow him, Jesus says ‘take cost, discipleship means ‘no comfort.’ To the second who was reluctant after he was called, Jesus says, ‘leave the dead to bury their dead, your duty is to go and spread the news of God’s Kingdom’. To the last would-be disciple, Jesus says, ‘once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.’
Friends, Job understood the cost of discipleship. That’s why he continued praising God and totally surrendered to his will in spite of his many tribulations. We must realise that serving God is an ordeal. We must realise that the opportunity has to be seized today without delay. And of course, one who ploughs looking back, will end up ploughing in very crooked lines. St Jerome also understood this principle. He put God first by denying the world and choosing asceticism. He was so generous with his talents, that he translated the entire Greek Bible to Latin, and went further to write many commentaries on the Bible. For him, ignorance of scripture meant ignorance of God.
Prayer
Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ, and for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me. Today, may I seize the opportunity to come to know You better in Your Word, that I may gain wisdom of heart, and become a better disciple, Amen.
God bless your day ahead. St Jerome, pray for us!
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