July 1st, 2007 Sunday: 13th Sunday Ordinary Time
We know how challenging it can be to live up to our commitments even when God is involved. Today in the first reading, the Prophet Elijah places his cloak on Elisha, a sign of invitation for Elisha to become a prophet to succeed Elijah. At first Elisha is excited and runs after Elijah. But, Elisha worries about his parents and his possession, and asks if he can go back and say goodbye. However, Elijah flatly tells him if he is not going to take this invitation seriously, then “Go back.” Jesus echoes this when few would-be disciples wanted to follow him. One of them asked if he can go back and say a farewell to his parents, and Jesus replied, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus is highlighting here the cost of becoming a disciple.
It's the moment when we have to live up to our 'yes' that we realize that commitment is much more than mere words. I know that for a newly married couple, the real challenge begins when the “honeymoon” feelings start to fade and the husband and wife start seeing the not so handsome and pretty sides of each other. Then they begin to see the seriousness of their marriage vow. “Do you promise to be true to your spouse in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honor your spouse all the days of your life?”
Yet, there is more fundamental commitment that we made prior to marriage or priesthood. Prior to being a husband, a wife, or a priest, we made a fundamental commitment to be a disciple through baptism. It was in baptism that we promised to do certain things, and God on his part promised to do certain things. In baptism, God asks us, “Do you reject Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises?” “Do you reject sin?” “Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?” “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord?” “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?” When we made these promises, God sent the Holy Spirit to give us a rebirth. He set us apart from this world so that although we are from this world, we are not to be of this world. Before our baptism, we sought worldly goals. But after baptism, there is only one goal that we're to plow toward and not look back. That goal is holiness. Holiness is our primary commitment as a baptized person.
Once I had to teach a 9th grade CCD class on the topic of holiness. On the black board I wrote the word holiness. And below I wrote two names: Brittney Spears and Mother Teresa. Then I asked which of the two persons did the word 'holiness' belonged to. Which one did you pick? It is easy to spot what is not holy in this world. It is much more challenging to live the life of holiness that God called each one of us to. What's Jesus saying to us today in the Gospel? Plow toward holiness, and don't be distracted by temptations of this world to be anything but holy. It's not impossible. God supplies all the grace necessary for us to live the life of holiness, if we only ask Him. Let us take St. Paul's encouragement today from the second reading:
“Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, rather serve one another through love. I say, then: live by the Spirit”
