The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 26, 2022
June28,2022
The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 26, 2022
I Kings 19:21c Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant. Galatians 5:1 Brothers and sisters, for freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Luke 9:62 To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In the 18th century in a far off distant land a young Franciscan heard the Lord call him to do missionary work in this part of the world in what is now Mexico and California. He yearned to bring the Gospel to new people, especially the Indians. He meditated on Luke 9:62, which strengthened his resolve, and then he set out on a mission trip that would consume his entire life. He would eventually be responsible for founding the twenty-one missions in California alone. Of course, his name is Junipero Serra. We live near a city and in an Archdiocese named after one of those missions.
Jesus reveals that true freedom, happiness, fulfillment comes from obedience to God’s will. There must be no looking back, no second thoughts. What God wills God wills. Since we are made in His image and likeness, the more we conform to Him the more we are in line with His plan for us, His unconditional love. Jesus marched up to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise for our sakes. We must walk in His footsteps if we are to know union with God and all that He gives to those who follow Him.
This concept is confirmed in the reading from First Kings. Elisha gave up his livelihood to follow Elijah, the prophet. There was no turning back, no second guesses, no regrets. He would never doubt that he was called to do God’s work. Therefore, he becomes a great prophet in tune with the ways of heaven.
St. Paul leads us to a more profound understanding. He recognizes the complete surrender to Christ for what it is. If we do as we please, as we want, as we feel, living on our whims, following the path of least resistance, choosing our way over God’s in sin, we don’t find freedom but slavery. Sin enslaves, never liberates. Currently, there is prevalent a false sense of freedom. True freedom is obedience to God not self. Freedom as license to do as I please brings the opposite: sadness, defeat, bondage, frustration. With confidence let us fully respond to the Lord, who calls out to each of us every day: “Follow me!”
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, let us pray that America will learn that true freedom comes from obedience to God and His commandments. One philosopher said: “If there is no God, all things are possible.” The more and more men and women chose to build up a Tower of Babel instead of the Kingdom of God, all will suffer, before and as it comes tumbling down. God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above. God bless America, my home sweet home!