In this gospel passage the message is about commitment. Jesus  “resolutely took the road for Jerusalem”, but even though messengers were sent ahead to make preparations for him “the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem”. In spite of this Jesus remains focussed on his mission.

There is a marked difference in the response of Jesus compared to that of his disciples James and John. They are ready to “call fire from heaven to burn them up”, but Jesus does not allow himself to get upset or distracted by those who do not support him. He simply goes on to another village, he continues on his journey with a sense of purpose and commitment.

The passage then gives three examples of the difficulty of commitment. Jesus warns the man who wants to follow him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no where to rest his head.”

Let us reflect on those people we know who have committed themselves to a cause; they have resolutely taken the road to doing some good – caring for the underprivileged; fighting for the preservation of the environment; standing up against all forms of discrimination.

In particular, I think of the woman who sacrifices her ambitions, career and personal goals for the sake of her family. She has resolutely taken the road for Jerusalem. This is not an easy road. She does not allow herself to be lured by financial incentives or recognition from contemporaries. But like Jesus she remains steadfast to her commitment to family.

Detractors do not faze her nor is she insecure about her decision. She is clear in her vision and remains dedicated to the rigours of child rearing and homemaking for the greater good – the family. There would be times when this commitment could seem all consuming.

As babies she devotes her energy to caring for her infants. She endures the trials of breast-feeding because she knows it is best for them. She shares the pain of teething or stays up all night nursing a fever.

When there is emotional crisis she must be there to soothe a bruised ego or build self-esteem. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air nests” but the woman cannot rest her head, she must always be in tune.

 There is nowhere to lay her head. She does not deceive herself into thinking she knows all the answers. She knows there are no guarantees.

Any time she thinks she has it all under control another challenge surfaces, but she remains committed. “Once her hand is laid to the plough she does not look back”.

The good news is in the experience of the kingdom of God - when the family celebrates an achievement – the daughter has handled a difficult situation admirably, she showed a sense of responsibility when you were not around. The son rose above peer pressure. He was made head prefect or was most outstanding player on the school team.

We thank you, Father, for those moments when we celebrate our commitment to you.

We thank you, Lord, for the people in our society who have had the courage to commit themselves for some greater good - parents, single mothers, care-givers, those working towards improvements in their communities. Give us the grace to stick to the task even when our efforts are not “received”.

Lord, we pray for those who are unable to commit themselves. They perhaps are aware of the demands of commitment. Help us to realise that in our search to find union with you there will be nowhere to lay our heads but it is the only way to find the kingdom of God.

Rosemarie Olliverre, a parishioner of St Finbar’s, is a wife and mother of two daughters. She is a former secondary school teacher.