Let the Dead Bury Their Dead

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Jesus' reply to the would-be disciple today seems rather heartless. The man asks to postpone his response to Jesus' invitation to follow him so that he can go and bury his father. Who could deny such a request? However, the problem lies not in Jesus' response but in the request itself. Jesus' disciples were Jews. Burial customs for this culture at this time in history were very specific. There can be no question here but that the man's father isn't dead at all. If he were dead, this man would be required to bury his father within twenty-four hours and then to observe a period of mourning. He would not be on the road where he could meet Jesus.

Actually, what the man is asking has nothing to do with his father's burial and everything to do with his own inheritance. He is basically asking to postpone his decision to follow Jesus until he discovers what he will inherit from his father. In other words, he is waiting for "a better offer." In this context, Jesus' answer is very appropriate. He is simply stating that he wants the man to choose to follow Jesus with no conditions. That is the only way one can be a disciple of Jesus.

We all receive a vocation to follow Jesus. We are all invited by the universal call to holiness. This Gospel message is for all of us, not simply to those who are called to priesthood or religious life. That call must be a priority in our lives no matter what our state in life. Jesus must come first.