Scripture Reflection, July 1: Our Adventurous Lives

Scripture Readings:
1 Kings 19: 16b, 19-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5: 1, 13-18
Luke 9: 51-62

Every so often something will happen that helps us to gain a new perspective on life. For instance, the other day Catholic Theological Union had a power outage in the afternoon that caused the staff to be sent home. I was very excited for these few extra hours. I was going to go home and take a long, relaxing walk. Unfortunately on my way home, I was caught in a storm with four inches of rain falling in one hour. After driving through the downpour and unexpectedly high standing water on Lake Shore Drive, I exited as quickly as I could. I pulled off on a side road, thankful that I was safe and that the deep water did not cause my car’s engine to stall. That trip home reminded me that life is fragile and that I can do a better job of cherishing what gifts and joys I have been given in my life.

This Sunday we hear a Gospel reading that is meant to challenge our sense of what is important and to give us a new perspective. Jesus tells potential disciples not to bid their families goodbye or to bury a dead father, but to follow him instead. This passage can be difficult because for most of us our families and communities have helped to shape and ground who we are today, and we in turn play important roles in the lives of our families and friends. Why would Jesus encourage us to leave them behind without saying goodbye? Jesus is not negating the value of family, communities, friends and our commitment to them, but he is trying to make an important point about following him. A life as a follower of Christ will not be easy or comfortable, and we can expect to be challenged often about what is really important in our lives. This lesson can be difficult because so many of us stake our identities on what we do, have accomplished, and have accumulated. Jesus is telling us these have no lasting, real value.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is an important complement to the Gospel story because here we learn that we should not be a slave to our own desires, expectations and the things that make us comfortable. Paul explains that Christ is the one who sets us free. “For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.” So often we have a tendency to cling to our expectations and our possessions that we can loose sight of what truly makes us joyful and happy. When we are able to let go of such things and stay open to the opportunities that inevitably come our way for sharing and using our gifts, then we will experience a sense of freedom that is life giving.

Our journeys as a follower of Christ might be difficult and arduous at times, but they also promise to be joyous, life-giving adventures. Our job is staying open to the every day experiences that call us out of our routine, challenge our perspective, and help us to cherish the gifts that we have been given.

JoEllen Windau