BARGAINING WITH THE LORD

 

Both readings today present a kind of “bargaining.” In the first reading, we have Abraham pleading on behalf of the people of Sodom; in the Gospel, two prospective followers of Jesus try to bargain with Him.

The strange thing is that in both readings, the final result of the bargaining isn’t mentioned.

In the first reading, we can easily check it in the rest of the Book of Genesis. But in the Gospel, we do not know what happened eventually with that scribe who presented himself and with the other one who asked permission from the Lord to let him go and bury his father first. Our Lord answered their pleas quite curtly as well as cryptically.

Certainly Jesus isn’t one who will waste His words on wavering wimps or sugar-coat them into attractive enticements just to adjust to His prospective disciples’ tastes. We can almost hear Him say, “If you don’t want to (or if you can’t seem to) follow me, well, no problem!” The loss wouldn’t be on Jesus at all, should anyone back out because of such a radical message. Whatever it is, the burden of the proof is always on the one being invited, the one who first hears Jesus’ call.

Using other examples from the Gospel, religious educator and writer James DiGiacomo, S.J., puts it beautifully, “[Jesus] is unwavering in His determination to tell it like it is, no matter what the cost. If this uncompromising honesty leaves Him with few or even no disciples, then so be it. He is organizing a trip through the narrow gate, and crowds need not apply. If the rich young man cannot stand the idea of not being rich, let him stay home and count his money. If the young fishermen aren’t ready to leave their nets, they’re not ready to follow Him. If Peter doesn’t want to hear about the Cross, he can stay in Caesarea Philippi where it’s safe, but the first team is going to Jerusalem” (Morality and Youth: Fostering Christian Identity). Hopefully, in the end, we will not need at all to bargain with the Lord because in the first place, we shall be unwavering in our following Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

Have you ever bargained with the Lord? Are you still hemming and hawing in totally following Him?

 

Free me, Lord, from whatever is pulling me back from taking my spiritual journey seriously. Amen.

 

St. Laszlo, pray for us.