Doña Marina and the conqueror. First meeting of
Malinalli with Hernán Cortés. Codex of Diego Durán. Century XVI. National Library,
Madrid (Spain)
(Doña Marina y el conquistador. Primer encuentro de Malinalli con Hernán
Cortés.
Códice de Diego Durán. Siglo XVI. Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid).
...
In the chronicles of the conquest of Mexico by the
Spanish, there is an episode that today could serve to stop us a moment and
make this time of prayer at this time of the mass. When Cortez landed on the
coast of Mexico, he ordered his men to burn the boats so there could be no
going back — it was going to be all or nothing. This made them resolutely
determined to accomplish what they had set out to do. If Cortez hadn't burned
the boats, his men would have fled when things got rough and they wouldn't have
conquered Mexico. That's a negative example of what our Scripture readings are
talking about today. In our first reading we have the call of the prophet
Elisha, who is resolutely determined to follow Elijah as his servant and
successor[1].
Rather than burning boats, as a farmer, he burned his farm implements so there
could be no going back to his former way of life. Like Cortez who burned his
boats and Elisha who burned his farm implements, we are invited to burn our
bridges to eliminate everything that might tempt us to return to our former way
of life when things get rough; the Lord says that it is the same for him and
those who follow him: There can be no going back. Today's Gospel says that when
the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to
journey to Jerusalem, where he would accomplish what he had set out to do for
our salvation[2].
And similarly, to would be followers who want to respond — but not quite yet —
Jesus replies: It's all or nothing and now or never. One man says he'll follow
Jesus once his father dies, but until then he feels bound by that prior
obligation. Jesus replies: Let the dead bury their dead. Responding to God's
call is a far greater and more urgent obligation: You, go and proclaim the
Kingdom of God. Another one says: “Sure! But first he needs to say goodbye to
everyone, tie up loose ends and get the approval of his family”. To him the
Lord replies: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and then looks back to what
was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God”. In other words: following him
is all or nothing and now or never. Jesus calls you and me to be his followers
as well. If we're going to respond appropriately to his call there can be no
looking back. Like Cortez who burned his boats and Elisha who burned his farm
implements, you and I must burn our bridges to eliminate everything that might
tempt us to return to our former way of life when things get rough. It's now or
never. No one who sets a hand to the plow and then looks back to what was left
behind is fit for the Kingdom of God! • AE
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