Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 30, 2025

Date: Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today from Matthew is often titled “Would be followers of Jesus.” It would be easy to misunderstand Jesus’ words or the intent of the “would be followers.”

In the first instance, we hear the scribe call Jesus “teacher.” We should note that scribes are rarely true followers of Jesus, rather they are skeptics. Jesus can see into the heart of the speaker. He knows he is not being sincere.

The second speaker, identified as a disciple or a follower, asks that Jesus let him bury his father before following Jesus in earnest. We know from our knowledge of Jewish culture that if the disciple’s father had already died, he would not with Jesus. He would be with the family and burying his father before anything else. The man is stalling. “Let me go home until my parents are gone and then I will follow you.” Jesus’ response to him seems uncaring, but it is not. Jesus recognizes the man’s true intent.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I truly willing to follow Jesus? No excuses? No delays? Now?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, we come to You and we desire to follow You, to be your true disciples, to walk in your footsteps. But, Lord, at times our fears prevent us or our priorities are askew. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve and our courage. Grant that we may set down our excuses and pick up our crosses and follow You. Amen.