Challenges of being a disciple

Gospel

Matthew 8:18-22

The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head

When Jesus saw the great crowds all about him he gave orders to leave for the other side. One of the scribes then came up and said to him, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, ‘Sir, let me go and bury my father first.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.’

**Reflection:**

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the transient and often challenging nature of discipleship. When the man offers to follow Jesus wherever He goes, Jesus gently reminds him that true discipleship may require sacrifice and detachment from worldly comforts, symbolized by the foxes and birds, which have their own homes, unlike the Son of Man who has nowhere to lay His head. Jesus’s response to the disciple who wishes to bury his father underscores the urgency and priority of following Him—sometimes, the call to discipleship demands immediate commitment, even before personal or family obligations are fully fulfilled. These passages challenge us to examine what we are willing to let go of in order to truly follow Christ. Are we ready to prioritize our spiritual journey over comfort, security, or societal expectations?

**Question for reflection:**

What is Jesus asking of me today, and what might I need to let go of in order to follow Him more fully?

**Short Prayer:**

Lord Jesus, you call us to follow you wholeheartedly, even when the path is difficult and uncertain. Help us to embrace your call with courage and trust, knowing that your presence is more precious than any comfort the world can offer. May we be willing to leave behind what hinders us from loving and serving you completely. Strengthen our hearts to respond with faith and devotion. Amen.

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