Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33.
The
Demands of Discipleship
If Christ had a job as a
public relations professional in a company, he would have failed
miserably. Few people would have been convinced to buy any products he
promoted. However, he would also have been the most truthful PR person in
history. As a spiritual leader, Christ never promised anyone a comfortable
life; instead, he warned his followers about the dangers they would face for
identifying with him. To those who considered following him, he said, “Foxes
have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to
rest his head.” (Matthew 8:20). To his disciples, he stated, “If
anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). The cost of discipleship is truly
enormous.
To illustrate how
perilous his mission was, Christ was arrested at night in the garden, tortured,
and subjected to a sham trial, a true travesty of justice. He was condemned and
dragged through the streets like a criminal, carrying a heavy cross on his shoulder.
Weak, hungry, and thirsty, he was nailed to the cross and left hanging there to
be mocked and scorned, ultimately dying a shameful death flanked by two
robbers. “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should
follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his
mouth. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that free from
sin, we might live for righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:21-22, 24). “No
one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
(John 15:13). “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.”
(John 15:18). All his apostles except one were martyred.
Today’s Gospel does not
present a pleasant picture either: “If anyone comes to me without hating
his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his
own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and
come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27). Thus, to be a
disciple of Christ, one must continually choose Christ above all else.
Christians must adopt a way of life that differs from that of the world.
In the second reading,
St. Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus, his slave, who had defrauded him
and run away. Onesimus met and assisted Paul while he was in prison, and
through this encounter, he was converted and became a Christian. Consequently,
Paul encouraged Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a
brother in Christ: “So, if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you
would me.” We cannot, on our own, do what seems humanly impossible and
truly follow the way of the Cross. Hence, the first reading encourages us to
seek divine wisdom: “Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what
the Lord intends? Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom
and sent your Holy Spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on
earth made straight.” (Wisdom 9:13-18).
These readings make it
abundantly clear that it costs no less than everything to be a disciple of
Jesus. We must ask ourselves these questions and answer them honestly: Do I
have what it takes to follow Christ? What am I prepared to give up? What Cross
must I bear daily as I follow Christ? We must choose Christ above and beyond
all else, loving ourselves less and Jesus more. Therefore, we must continually
surrender ourselves to God, accepting His will without question. The cost of
discipleship indeed requires everything. Throughout history, men and women have
given their all to follow Christ, sacrificing everything and choosing Him above
their parents, families, brothers, sisters, and even their own lives. Yes, whoever
wants to be my disciple must hate his very self; otherwise, he is not worthy of
me.
Discipleship also
requires certain qualities: being a good listener, a loyal follower, and one
who loves people. It is all about Christ, not about oneself. This total
self-giving mirrors the ‘Yes’ to God that our Mother Mary exemplified when she
said, “Let it be done to me according to your word.”
Dear friends, these are
costs that must be calculated and resources that must be expended. Being a true
disciple is challenging. It is hard work that must be carefully planned and
diligently executed. On our own, it is an impossible task, but with God, all
things are possible. Thus, the first reading encourages us to seek God’s
wisdom. Maintaining a healthy prayer life, being faithful to our sacramental
duties, giving to charity, aiding those in need, and striving to conquer our
own weaknesses are steps in the right direction. These represent the plans we
must undertake, the mansion we must build, the battles we must fight, and the
preparations we must make. May God grant us the grace and wisdom to do what is
right and good in His eyes. Amen.
Rev.
Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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