Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr John Seland – Japan
Wednesday 31st Week in Ordinary Time
I met many priests when I was in the seminary but the one who made the deepest impression on me was our novice master, Fr. John Musinsky, who would later become our Superior General. He was one with us in many activities: football, picking grapes, hiking. It was due to his influence, I think, that all twenty-two of us went on to the priesthood.
When Jesus saw great crowds following him, we might imagine him as thanking them for their support and encouragement. How shocked they must have been when, instead of doing that, he challenged them by saying that they could only become his followers if they would put him first, even before their own life.
Not only that, they could only become his followers if they accepted whatever difficulties they might have in life. It would not be easy, therefore, they must consider very carefully whether they were willing to commit themselves totally to him.
However, as we know, Jesus was never content with verbal messages unless he personally practised what he preached. Thus we see him facing many obstacles as he steadily made his way to Jerusalem where he knew he would be crucified. Then, knowing that this, indeed, was the Father’s will, he literally renounced all his possessions, the dearest one being his own life.
We influence people not so much by our words but by our deeds. Let us give witness to Jesus by doing just as he did. We carry the various crosses and difficulties we experience, always aware that he is helping us every step of the way until we arrive at the home of our Father in heaven.
