September 26: “Follow Me.” / “Sígueme.”

What is the difference between these two questions from Luke 9, 18-22: “Who do the crowds say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?” In two words, the difference is sacrifice and suffering.

To answer the first question, one need only be a reporter, a journalist or an observer. To answer the second question, we need to put our life on the line. Journalists and observers usually maintain a distance from their material or subjects; they are expected to do so. But a disciple of Jesus is personally involved – even to the inmost part of our being.

As we have said here recently, “to suffer” means “to allow.” In the light of our faith, suffering means to allow that faith to penetrate us, it is to lose that arm’s-length distance that the observer tries to maintain so carefully. It is to be drawn close to the loving Heart of the Lord.

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Food for thought: The Cross looms larger and larger in St. Luke’s Gospel as soon as we reach the halfway point (chapter 9). In 9, 51, St. Luke tells us that “Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem.”  The remaining chapters of the Gospel, then, will detail how the Lord will make His way to the Holy City in order to sacrifice and suffer. The rest of the Gospel’s narrative will help us see how Jesus resolutely faced His death. In every age, we His disciples, have been challenged to hear Him clearly when He says: “Follow me.”

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Jesús nos pregunta a cada uno de nosotros (en Lucas 9, 18-22) no lo que otros dicen sobre Él, sino quién es Él y qué significa Él para nosotros. La respuesta que espera de nosotros no consiste en largas declaraciones, sino la respuesta viva de nuestras prioridades, de nuestras virtudes, y de nuestra conducta.

La respuesta que deberíamos darle a Jesús no es exclusivamente reservada para personas consagradas (cleros y monjas, por ejemplo). Todos nosotros le decimos: “Señor, tú eres todo para nosotros. Solo tú eres quien da sentido pleno a nuestras vidas.”

Oremos. “Padre, te damos gracias porque nos has mostrado en Jesús cuán bueno eres tú y cuánto nos amas. Te damos gracias porque Él apareció en toda la flaqueza y fragilidad de nuestra condición humana, y porque, por su muerte y Resurrección, nos has otorgado vida abundante, el que vive y reina contigo por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.”