June 26, 2022 WORD The Cost of Following Jesus

WORD I Kings 19: 16b, 19-21

Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat,

as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen;

he was following the twelfth.

Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.

Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said,

“Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,

and I will follow you.”

Elijah answered, “Go back!

Have I done anything to you?”

Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;

he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,

and gave it to his people to eat.

Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

OBSERVE

The lives of prophets are filled with uncertainties and dangers.

Uncertainties because there are no assurance from where the prophets will get their food and shelter.

Dangers because telling truth to power most often result to death. Being a prophet is not an easy life.

Elisha knew this way of life. At the same time, he is aware that once he answered the call to become the successor of Elijah, there is no turning back.

This is the reason why Elisha slaughtered his oxen and use the yoke as fuel to cook the meat which he distributed to the people.

There is no turning back for Elisha.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that those who will follow him will have no assurance unlike the "foxes (that) have dens and birds of the sky (that) have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, you have touched people to follow your call.

While there is no certainty or assurance from the world,

You are their firm foundation and source of joy.

May those who have answered your call be faithful to their calling.

Amen

DISCERN

There is a difference between a vocation and a profession.

Those who considered what they are doing as their vocation, would not expect to enrich themselves.

For example, teaching while it is considered as a profession, it is also a vocation because teachers do not expect that they will become rich by a teacher's salary.

Indeed, there are many other professions that are supposed to be vocations,

However, the increasing materialism and individualism of our society have made place material gains ahead of other considerations.

Are there still Elishas who are willing to slaughter their oxen and burn their yokes?