In the words of Jesus, "No one who sets his hand to the plow and looks to what is left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."
I love the gospel today. People approach JEsus as he journeys forth and volunteer to follow him "wherever he goes" but they start to make excuses, "but first let me go..." you can fill in the blank with your own excuses.
How often is this our response to Christ? We seek to follow him and our resolve is real and strong but something comes up that seems more important at the time. Or we are afraid to let go, afraid we might miss out on something else if we follow to soon.
Perhaps we are afraid of what people might think or say or do?
With Jesus there is no missing out, there is just the fullness of joy and love that is abundant.
The risk is the reward.
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Wenceslaus. He was taught Christianity by his grandmother, St. Ludmilla. This alone should give us pause to remember our grandparents or anyone who taught us the Christian faith and how to follow Christ. Think of all those who have "trained us in the ways of faith" as we say at the baptism of a child.
Upon the death of his Father, Wensceslaus took over and ruled with a good heart, assisting the poor at every turn, attending their funerals, bringing them food and clothing, he even made the wine and bread for use at the altar during mass. He ended the persecution of Christians, built churches, and brought back clergy to celebrate and minister to the people.
In just a short 4 years he was known as the "Good King" of Bohemia.
His brother began to despise him. At the age of 22 he was struck down by his brother outside a church. He is considered a martyr for the faith since pagan brother disliked his christian lifestyle. He is the first slav to be canonized.
He never wavered in his willingness to follow Christ. He never made excuses. He did not delay nor worried about missing out. He just simply walked in the footsteps of Christ.
Also today we celebrate the feast of St. John Dukla, polish origin; St. LAwrence of Ruiz and companions who were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan.
HEre are a few words from Pope Benedict on praying the Angelus:
"As we pray this Angelus, we may join Mary in her "yes", we may adhere trustingly to the beauty of God's plan and to the providence that he has assigned to us in his grace. Then God's love will also, as it were, take flesh in our lives, becoming ever more tangible. In all our cares we need have no fear. God is good. At the same time we know that we are sustained by the fellowship of the many believers who are now praying the Angelus with us throughout the world,"
Again he tells us:
"Christ, risen from the dead, shines in this world and he does so most brightly in those places where, in human terms, everything is sombre and hopeless. He has conquered death -- he is alive -- and faith in him, like a small light, cuts through all that is dark and threatening."
***********Below is a picture of Ludmilla teaching Wenceslas the way to follow Christ
Here is a you tube version of the Christmas Carol: Good King Wenceslas
Lyrics to the Good King Wenceslas
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
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