Following is Easy

Feb 12

This past Sunday’s Gospel from Luke contained the call of Peter to follow Jesus. In my own memory, the passage that sticks out is not from Luke but rather from Matthew 4:19 where Jesus says, “Come, follow me.” I always enjoyed that passage because following is in my nature!

I’m the third son of my parents and I followed my older brothers everywhere. My brothers were in the marching band, I was in the marching band. Where should I go to high school? I’ll follow my brothers. How about college? I’ll go where Michael went. What about a religious order? Easy, I’ll follow my brother to the Oblates. Following is something I do. What’s the big deal? Following has always worked out for me.

When preparing my homilies, I often use insights from John J. Pilch, a biblical scholar. He writes beautifully about the historical and cultural context of the Gospels. This last Sunday, I was hesitant to read him because I already liked my understanding of the concept of following. Pilch ruined my easy interpretation. He discussed that the early witnesses and recipients of this passage would understand that Jesus’ invitation was not just to come and follow him around; instead, Jesus is asking, “Come and be dependent on me.”

Dependent? Oh, that word makes me bristle because I’ve worked my entire life to be independent and invulnerable. Why would I accept an invitation to become dependent? My experiences of dependence are all connected to worry and anxiety. When I travel and am dependent on my passport, I am constantly making sure it’s in my pocket. Did I lose it? Is it still there? Dependence and anxiety are two things I’d like to avoid.

And yet… this Gospel passage to depend completely on Jesus also contains these words, “Do not be afraid.” How can dependence bring me peace? I think you already know. In this case, the invitation is already the reality. If I accept it or not, I am dependent on Christ. I may be wonderfully made, but I am not self-made.

“Be dependent on me and be at peace.” That’s the invitation. But there is something more to the Gospel. When I am looking for understanding, I usually talk to someone who has “been there before.” We are all dependent on Christ and have been there before. I no longer hate the dependence I search for in others because I so desperately want to reject it in myself. You're dependent and I’m dependent. Hmmm, that does bring me peace.

Complete is my dependence on You, Lord.

May God be Praised!