Gospel, Luke 9:51-62

He was all of 16 when he decided, once he completed his work life cycle, would think of ways to give back.
Now it happened that as the time drew near for him to be taken up, he resolutely turned his face towards Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Today he was over the hill and remembered the pledge he made to himself.

Seeing this, the disciples  James and John said,

'Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?' But he turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.

He got his dream venture afloat, but there were areas  beyond him and requested for help, but met with regret. As they traveled along they met a man on the road who said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' No Time was the response he got from the first. Jesus answered, 'Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.' Too many commitments said another, Another to whom he said, 'Follow me,' replied, 'Let me go and bury my father first.' But he answered, 'Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.' Another said, 'I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good -- bye to my people at home.' How much will you pay me asked the third?
A week later they met at the local prayer hall. It was a coincidence to hear the Gospel of the day Jesus said to him, 'Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.' 

Who are we ?

Gospel: Luke 9:18-24

Jesus warns that he will be rejected, and his fate will be shared by his followers.
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.    

The above passage raises a few important questions, answers of which we must seek within.

1. Who do people think We are ?          

2. To follow him, We need to take up  our cross willingly and follow his words.