Continuing on in Luke (9:57-62), Jesus has encounters with several different disciples: One says he will follow Him but first he needs to take care of his father until the latter’s death; the other says he must go back to wish his family goodbye before returning to follow Jesus.  The closing line (above) answers the latter’s excuse.  But not only does it address the hesitation of all His disciples there, it also speaks to all those who claim to follow Jesus but find illegitimate reasons to not throw themselves wholeheartedly into the effort.  How committed we are to the Lord is worth regular, even daily, reflection.  What things do we do, while not necessarily bad, consume time better used for building up the kingdom (prayer, Bible reading, study, assisting those in need, sharing the Good News, defending the Faith, etc.)?  What faults or habitual sins hurt our relationship with God and pull us away from Him?  And considering Jesus’ “left behind” comment, what grudge, regret, or confessed sin do we still hold onto that prevents us from completely embracing God’s mission for us?  Let us take full advantage of those ordinary means of divine grace, the sacraments, to repair our relationship with the Lord so that by throwing ourselves with total faith and without hesitation into the ocean of Divine Mercy (St. Faustina, pray for us!) we may more readily and faithfully follow the Lord’s will in our lives.