Rejection by the Samaritans & Would-be Disciples (Lk. 09:51-62)

When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.  57 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 59 And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.” 60 But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 [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.”

The time of Jesus’ ministry on Earth was coming to an end and, after his death and resurrection, he would return to his Father and send the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was determined to fulfill his Father’s will by going to Jerusalem and preaching salvation along the way.  He sent messengers ahead of him and they entered a Samaritan village to prepare the villagers for his arrival.  The Samaritans rejected Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.  

Jesus’ mission was to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God and offer salvation to all.  Samaritans disliked Jews (Jn. 4:9) because of historical, religious, ethnic, and geopolitical factors.  The Samaritans revered Mount Gerizim as the holy mountain and the true location chosen by God for worship, but Jerusalem served as the central place of worship and pilgrimage for the Jewish people, especially the Temple on Mount Moriah.  These factors created the rivalry and tension between the two groups.

The disciples were familiar with the deeds of the prophets, so James and John asked Jesus if he wanted them to do as Elijah did and call down fire on his enemies (2 Kings 1:10-12).  Jesus rebuked James and John for their vengeful hearts.  Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies spoken by the prophets, but he did not come to follow in the footsteps of Elijah or the prophets.  His mission was mercy, reconciliation, and to preach love of God and neighbor, not to judge and destroy (Mt. 5:44; Jn. 3:17).  Jesus and the disciples peacefully continued on their way to Jerusalem.  

At the start of Jesus’ ministry, the first disciples willingly left everything and followed him (Lk. 5:11, 28).  Now that Jesus was near the end of his ministry some individuals wanted to follow him.  He warned one man that there were sacrifices involved in following him and he may have to leave behind the worldly comforts and security to which he was accustomed.  Jesus called another individual to follow him but when the person asked for time to bury his father Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead (v. 60)” which could mean let those who do not seek the Kingdom of God, the spiritually dead, be concerned with burying the physically dead.  Another individual wanted to follow Jesus but asked for time to say farewell to his family.  Jesus told him that his priority should be to proclaim the kingdom of God.  The plow in antiquity was drawn by oxen and the plowman needed to focus and be steadfast to ensure that the oxen moved in the right direction and that the furrows created by the plow were straight and even.  Those who want to follow Jesus must be committed and dedicated to his mission and not be distracted by worldly commitments or attachments.  

Jesus was firmly committed to going to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51), even though he knew what was awaiting him there and his disciples tried to dissuade him (Mk. 8:32).  His disciples must be just as committed to proclaiming the Kingdom of God no matter the obstacles or the cost.  

Almighty God, grant us the courage to follow you faithfully without regard for worldly comforts or attachments.  Help us to walk in the footsteps of your Son with unwavering dedication and commitment to his word.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.