Christian discipleship means having no permanent place to call home on this earth. However, it is not about being materially poor; one cannot afford a modest dwelling. The whole idea behind Jesus’ words to the man who wanted to follow Him “wherever” Jesus went is based on one’s capacity for physical mobility and full availability for mission. The disciple cannot be tied down by obligations towards the maintenance of a permanent household. Even the dens of foxes and nests of birds have temporary shelters, but, “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”.

This is not a plea for pity but a reality check for Jesus and His disciples who needed to travel the length and breadth of Israel to spread the Good News of God’s kingdom through preaching, healing, ministering to the flock and shepherding them.

Discipleship demands commitment; however noble any hesitation means that one’s heart is not ready for the commitment required. St. Francis of Assisi showed this resolve when he literally divested himself of all material goods to embrace the freedom (symbolised by the hermit’s garb) to answer the divine call to restore God’s church that lay in ruins.

What attachments do we have that we might need to divest ourselves of? What “good” reason can we give today that holds us back from following in the footsteps of Christ?