When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9: 51-56).”
Thomas More wrote his daughter Meg that his time in prison was the greatest gift that King Henry VIII have given him and that he was at peace. He was also content if he lost his lands, goods and even his life by not signing the oath saying the King was the head of the Church in England. He knew he could not violate his conscience without becoming an empty shell of a man. He faced this situation and was beheaded by the King.
The first line of the gospel says how Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem, meaning that he went freely to suffer and die. He did not try to escape the mission that he had. The saints also can give us this courage to face our cross and our everyday difficulties without turning back. This is a strength that only comes from God.
Jesus is not saying don’t bury your parents or relatives; he is saying put him first even if your family gets upset if you have another child, or you skip the birthday party because you have a retreat. He will give you peace when you struggle to do his will.