ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

FROM YOUR PRIEST:

          "The Hand on the Plow"

                                Luke 9:51-62

There is an urgency in Jesus’ conversation with us. The day

is drawing near for him to be “taken up,” which--taken

literally--means taken up to heaven by way of the

cross. His face is set toward what awaits him in Jerusalem,

the events which transform our understanding of God. So,

we might sympathize with his persistence and frankly,

insistence. He says that the work of discipleship will be

hard, sometimes meaning a lack of creature comforts. Our

mission in Christ will outweigh human priorities; even

the tending to family challenges may have to be

delegated. The Gospel will require focus; you cannot plow a

field when looking backward. I particularly like that last

image, which most of us in the country can grasp. (Today

Jesus might say something about those who get behind the

wheel and text!) The good news of course is that Jesus is

walking with us, sharing the burden of steadying the plow,

guiding us in the field. He does not leave us to the field

alone. The crop yield is amazing.