31ST WEDNESDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Work for your salvation, for Christ is working in you! (Philippians 2:12-13)
What does Christianity have to offer that’s worth giving up everything else for, including one’s own life? More than we can fathom! Jesus offered his disciples a priceless treasure– true happiness, peace with his Father in heaven. And what does it cost to be a disciple of so generous a Lord who wishes to share everything he has with his beloved disciples? Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him. To gain all, one must be willing to give all. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give our lives over to him completely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, “We are not our own. We were bought with a price” ( 1 Cor. 6:19,20). That price is the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross. Is our lives given over to God?
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Why does Jesus say we must “hate” our families and even ourselves? The expression “to hate” is often meant to “prefer less”. Jesus used strong language to make clear that nothing should take precedence or first place in our lives over God. Jesus knew that the way of the cross was the Father’s way to glory and victory over sin and death.
The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first. Jesus’ way to glory and power is opposite the world’s way of glory and power. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him. Does the love of Christ compel us to put God first in all we do ( 2 Cor. 5)?
PRAYER: Lord, may your love consume us and transform our lives that we may truly desire nothing more than life with you. Help us to count the cost and to joyfully embrace the cross. Amen.
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