The cost of following Jesus

June 30, 2025 Monday within the 13th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 8:18–22 There is something quietly piercing about this Gospel. Jesus doesn’t turn people away—but He doesn’t sugarcoat the journey either. When a scribe enthusiastically says, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever You go,” Jesus responds not with praise, but with sobering honesty: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” It’s as if He’s asking, “Are you ready to follow Me, even if it costs you everything familiar?” This passage confronts us with the raw truth that discipleship is not about comfort—it’s about surrender. I’ve felt that surrender. Leaving behind people I loved, places I was rooted in, and dreams I once held close. There were moments I wanted to say, “Lord, let me just take care of this first.” But Jesus’ words echo clearly: “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead.” Not because He lacks compassion, but because He knows our hearts can delay with good excuses that quietly become chains. To follow Jesus means to walk away from safety into sacred uncertainty. It means choosing Him even when it hurts, even when it’s lonely, even when no one claps. But I’ve also found this to be true—when we let go of everything else, we fall into the arms of the One who gave up everything for us. And that’s when we discover: it’s not about what we give up… it’s about who we gain. Blessings Fr. Jhack