1
Kgs. 19:16b, 19-21; Gal. 5:1, 13-18; Lk. 9:51-62
The Indian Epics narrate many amazing stories about the dedication of the disciples to their masters. The story of Ekalavya in Mahabharata is such an amazing one. Ekalavya is introduced as a young prince. He lived near the ashram of Drona, where Pandavas princes and Kaurava princes used to take lessons in various arts. He had great desire to learn the art of archery from Dronacharya. But Drona would not accept him as his disciple. But the boy was not to be put off; his determination knew no bounds.
Ekalavya went
off into the forest where he fashioned a clay statue of Drona. Worshipping the
statue as his preceptor, he began a disciplined program of self-study. As a
result, Ekalavya became an archer of exceptional prowess.
One day while
Ekalavya was practicing, he heard a dog barking. Ekalavya fired seven arrows in
rapid succession to fill the dog's mouth without injuring it. The Princes were
surprised. They asked him who his master was. He replied that His “Guru” was
Dronacharya. When Drona heard of it he went to see his unknown disciple.
He found
Ekalavya diligently practicing archery. Seeing Drona, Ekalavya prostrated
himself and clasped the teacher's hands, awaiting his order. Drona asked
Ekalavya for his Gurudakshina, the deed of gratitude a student owed his teacher
upon the completion of his training. Ekalavya replied that there was nothing he
would not give his teacher. Drona said, “Give me your right thumb.” Without hesitation he cut off his right thumb
and handed it to Drona.
Today’s readings
speak to us about the cost of discipleship. In today’s first reading we find
that Elisha is called by Elijah to move into an unknown future. In the Gospel,
we find the challenge to move beyond the ties of family loyalty and affection
into commitments outside the pale of our immediate families.
The call of Jesus to discipleship was
characterized by complete self renunciation. The response has to be immediate and unconditional. Jesus did not
allow them time for a second thought. He
called Peter, and Peter left everything and followed Him. The man who accepted
Jesus invitation to follow Him, but requested Him to let him go to bury his
father first, Jesus gave an answer which surprises us:
“Leave the dead
to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the Kingdom of
God.”
Jesus disciples
had to leave all else in order to be with Jesus (Mark 3:14). Once the decision
is made it is final (Lk (:62) “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks
back is fit for service in the kingdom of God”
Secondly, Jesus’ call to His disciples hip meant a
call to mission. Jesus prepared them to go out into
the world and catch men. He said to peter, “I will make you fishers of men.”
The mission Jesus entrusted to His disciples was to bear witness to His own
life and teaching. He wanted them to
preach to the people as he preached the mercy of God; He wanted them to heal
the sick as he had healed the people who came to him for comfort; He wanted
them to feed the people as he had fed the
crowd; He wanted them to raise the dead, as he had raised Lazarus, He
wanted them to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom of God, as He would suffer on
the cross.
Thirdly, the discipleship of Jesus is unique in the
magnitude of its reward. He said to them, “Everyone
who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is
in heaven.”
Satish