KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE TARGET

Have you ever had the joy of driving by a well planted field? Don’t you just love how the crops seem to be running along side of your vehicle as you make your way down the road? When I was a teenage I use to work on a farm, I helped plant and harvest. One day I asked the old timer I was often partnered with how do you get the rows so straight? He replied, that simple son. All I do is line my tractor up on the field, pick a point at the end of the field and stay focused on my target. You don’t go longing backward, that end will take care of itself, just keep your eye on the target in front of you. The rest falls right into place. So all you have to do is follow my tracks and you won’t damage the seedlings or the crops when harvesting. Now, enough jawin’, get back to work.

Early in his ministry, Jesus had taken the initiative in choosing his disciples to follow him. Now as he and his disciples begin their final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus is approached by three other would-be followers.

The first would-be follower approaches Jesus, promising to follow him wherever he goes. Jesus’ response neither accepts nor refuses; instead, he presents to the would-be disciple the consequences of discipleship. “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (Lk 9:58)

In the second encounter, Jesus takes the initiative, “Follow me.” (Lk 9:59) The follower hesitates with an excuse. Jesus puts aside the person’s excuse, of needing to go first and bury his father, giving proclamation of the kingdom of God absolute priority. “Let the dead bury the dead, you proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:60)

The third person also asserts, “I will follow you.” (Lk 9:61) Jesus’ words for this potential disciple teaches his followers that we must be ready to give up all things immediately as we follow him on the way. “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what is left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62)

As disciples ourselves, we must set our sight on God, this is why Jesus was lifted onto the tree, to help us remain focused on the target of hope in Him and salvation. If we are left only with our deeds, no matter how good they may be, we are left alone. This compared to God, who can move mountains, shake the earth, and command the sun, reveals that our human weakness is as limited as that of Job. Yet even in our limitedness and trials of life, we can hope for what God can and does do for us.

As disciples of Jesus, we can be certain our life will involve taking risks. Keeping our eye on the target, forward, not looking back at our sins and failings. When we focus on the target, enter into this Eucharistic sacrifice, we will find God is already present in all the places to which we are being sent.