Matthew 8:18-22: Would-Be Followers
Thursday September 25, 2025
We read these verses and a question immediately springs to mind: Are we would-be followers of Christ or are we true disciples? Only an honest examination of our daily actions coupled with an open conversation with God will tell us. Only a humble attitude knitted with the frank assessment of our integrity will steer us. Only love of ourselves and our fellow human beings – including those who do us harm – will bring us to a complete understanding of Jesus’ words in today’s Noontime.
I would volunteer to help at the outreach office but I don’t like the way they run it.
I would love to go to daily Mass but I would have to get up so early.
I would love to help out with the food pantry and make a casserole dish once in a while but I have too much to do.
These are the words of the would-be follower. How often have I used these words?
Jesus is telling us that nothing takes precedence over work we do for and with him. These words worried the temple and civil leaders of us day; and they worry us. What can he mean? Is he saying that we do not need to follow the code laid out by society that keeps all of us in line and moves us forward? Is he recommending narcissism or anarchy?
I would follow you wherever you go, the scribe says to Jesus and he replies: Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head. Follow me . . .
Let me go first and bury my father, one of Jesus’ disciples requests and Jesus relies: Let the dead bury the dead . . . Follow me . . .
Jesus tells us that nothing of this world ought to separate us from our proper life – the life we life in him. Follow me . . .
Jesus tells us that nothing of this world may take precedence over the work we are called to do – the work we do for him. Follow me . . .
Jesus tells us that no one, no idea, no cause, no plan belongs before our love of God – the same love he shows to us. Follow me . . .
Would-be followers show the same fervor as genuine servants; but they place this fervor on God’s hands. Follow me . . .
Would-be disciples ask the same questions as authentic disciples; and then they listen well to the answers they receive. Follow me . . .
The difference between false and true followers is that those who truly follow do so in spite of their fears. Follow me . . .
Those who honestly follow have put aside their ego. Follow me . . .
Those who really follow wait for Christ’s light to pierce the darkness and they witness to that light. Follow me . . .
Those who follow Christ know how important it is to burrow their dens under the shelter of God’s altar. Follow me . . .
They know to build their nests in the safety of God’s vineyard. Follow me . . .
True followers know that in the kingdom there are no narcissists and there is no chaos . . . there is only God and the permeating presence of his true and ardent love. Follow me . . .
Would-be followers are not willing to set the world and self aside. True followers know that living in God is the only existence that matters.
Follow me . . .
A re-post from August 31, 2011.
Images from: https://www.wskg.org/npr-science-news/2024-08-29/when-birds-build-nests-theyre-also-building-a-culture and https://www.amazon.com/poster-Antiqued-Sitting-Woodland-Animals/dp/B0DH4WNCL8
The Noontimes 