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b'(1Kgs.19:16b,19-21;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.16:1-2,5,7-11;\\xa0\\xa0 Gal.5:1,13-18;\\xa0\\xa0 Lk.9:51-62)\\xa0 \\u201cNo one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.\\u201d We must follow Jesus.\\xa0 And the path He walks leads to the cross. Our gospel tells us, \\u201cWhen the days for Jesus\\u2019 being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.\\u201d\\xa0 Jesus knows what awaits Him in Jerusalem.\\xa0 He knows how He will weep over the city for its lack of faith, and He knows their lack of faith will bring His crucifixion.\\xa0 Yet into the waiting arms of death He travels, undeterred.\\xa0 And how many there are who proclaim their desire to walk with Him; how many volunteer to follow in His way.\\xa0 But how little they know of the difficulty found on that road: \\u201cThe Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head\\u201d \\u2013 we must give up our homes.\\xa0 \\u201cLet the dead bury the dead\\u201d \\u2013 we must leave behind our family.\\xa0 Yes, we must never look \\u201cto what was left behind,\\u201d namely, \\u201cthe desire of the flesh\\u201d of which Paul speaks.\\xa0 We are now \\u201cguided by the Spirit\\u201d; the flesh no longer holds sway over us.\\xa0 That which is opposed to the Spirit we must give no thought to anymore. Look at Elisha, the powerful prophet, in our first reading.\\xa0 He is called by the master, Elijah.\\xa0 Yes, he fails to follow immediately, but look at what he does in saying good-bye to his family.\\xa0 He takes what has been his livelihood to this day and sacrifices it utterly: he slaughters the oxen and even uses \\u201cthe plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,\\u201d giving the meat as food for his people.\\xa0 Nothing remains to call him back; he effects a total departure from his old self. Brothers and sisters, we must take such complete refuge in the Lord.\\xa0 We must say with David, \\u201cO Lord, my allotted portion and cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.\\u201d\\xa0 All must be given over to Him and entrusted to His care.\\xa0 It does us no good to hesitate on our journey with Him or take up things which will weigh us down along the way.\\xa0 \\u201cDo not submit again to the yoke of slavery,\\u201d Paul exhorts us.\\xa0 Leave all the desires of this world behind to find the freedom known only in heaven.\\xa0 Then we will proclaim with David: \\u201cI set the Lord before me; with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.\\u201d\\xa0 We will know His mantle of strength and protection in our call to walk with Him; the yoke of slavery to sin will be broken from our shoulders.\\xa0 We are truly free, brothers and sisters, only insofar as we follow Him, submitting ourselves to the cross. O Lord, take all that keeps us back from following in your way, that in such death to self we may draw nigh to your kingdom.\\xa0 Your cross is the path to life. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Hold On, Here We Go" (second part) from Bearing the Birth Pangs, tenth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, may your Spirit guide us on the road to the Cross. YHWH, how shall we be fit for your kingdom?\\xa0 How shall we give ourselves as we must to your will?\\xa0 Help us to leave all behind and never turn back to it.\\xa0 Help us to follow your Son even to the Cross.\\xa0 For if you do not help us, we shall falter on the way.\\xa0 Without your grace we shall not have the light and strength we need. O LORD, our spirit is willing to follow you, but how weak is our flesh.\\xa0 How concerned we are about the things of this earth!\\xa0 And so your Son must be severe with us, for how else shall we break the yoke of slavery to sin?\\xa0 Without His sharp Word we would linger in complacency all our days. O let the ties that bind us to this world be cut and we be free to walk with Jesus in utter service and love!\\xa0 May the fire of your Spirit be upon us to burn away all attachment to sin.\\xa0 Be our sole refuge, dear God, that no corruption we shall know but remain at your right hand forever.'