Daily Reflection Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Think for a moment of all our failed New Year’s resolutions . . . all those promises and pledges to get ourselves in shape, physically, intellectually, and spiritually. All of them made with good intentions, but many times we found it hard to follow through. To be sure, we meant well. Perhaps it is a matter of “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”


Today we hear of two disciples of Jesus who intend to follow him. Jesus invites these followers, and many more, but he is also honest about the challenges to discipleship. There will be challenges and distractions along the way. We will find the way difficult and may become disillusioned. So it is vital to keep focused upon the Son of God who calls us and the path upon which he leas us. But how do we know we can pursue the path of the Lord.
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Many years ago I was preparing to profess my first vows to commit my life to the Society of Jesus. I wanted to be a Jesuit. At twenty-two-years of age I wondered – and worried – about a life-time commitment of poverty, chastity, and obedience to God. But then a friend advised me to read the last line of the vow statement. It reads, "As you, have freely given me the desire to make this offering, so also may you give me the abundant grace to fulfill it. " The Lord call us and supports us along the way. So we pray for the grace.