The past week was High School graduation for many. I still have two years before my youngest makes that transition from high school student to college bound young man. I am not sure yet where that college journey will take him, but one thing I am sure of…we are preparing him to make the most of it.

When I read today’s Gospel about Jesus and His disciples’ travels, I thought about all the kids soon heading off to make their own journeys. Sometimes scary, unsure, moving into uncharted waters. They will be leaving what is familiar, comfortable and safe to go in a totally new direction. Sound familiar?

The people that Jesus met along the way wanted to walk with Him, but were they willing to drop everything and be a true follower? So, Jesus teaches them the demands of discipleship. There is no “but first”. You must be ready when called upon. Discipleship takes precedence over everything.

So, when these young men and ladies go off to college or wherever their journey takes them, they must be ready without reservation. Go forward, do not look behind. Focus on the task at hand and trust that Jesus is always walking with you. Afterall, when we follow Christ we are often taken into new ways of living.