WEDNESDAY HOMILY: 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: TRUE DISCIPLESHIP.
BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL
‘Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple’
In the Gospel passage of today (Luke 14:25-33), Jesus refuses to be impressed by the crowds around Him. He shows from the very beginning what following Him would cost His followers. What Jesus asks for is first place in one’s heart. That is what successful discipleship requires.
So Jesus calls for a follower who will hate his mother and father, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters; even his own life to make Him a priority. The point of the list is that no other relationship is first for a disciple. “Hate” is used figuratively and suggests a priority of relationship. Jesus is first. To follow Jesus means to follow Jesus, not anyone or anything else. A disciple is a learner, and the primary teacher in life is Jesus. This total loyalty is crucial, given the rejection and persecution that lie ahead. If His followers care more about family than about Jesus, when families are divided under pressure of persecution, they will choose against Jesus. This is what lies behind Jesus’ remarks. Discipleship is not possible if Jesus is not the teacher.
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This is why bearing the and coming after Jesus is the issue of discipleship. Learning from Jesus means following Him, experiencing the rejection He experienced, and so bearing the cross he bore. We can not “learn Jesus” without being prepared to walk this path.
True discipleship is basically allegiance. To follow Jesus is to rely on Him. He uses two pictures to demonstrate His point.
The first picture involves the building of what is probably a watchtower for a vineyard. To be a success, this building program must be planned out carefully; otherwise, the builder may well start the project but not finish it. Failure to finish would make the builder a laughingstock to neighbours, as his half-finished shell of a tower casts its incomplete shadow over the land. So Jesus asks what person does not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it. How sad it is to start something and not finish it. The failure is evident to all. The shell of the building echoes the shell that remains of this man’s reputation. The implication is that embarking on discipleship is just the same: we do well to reflect on what it will take to finish what we have started.
The second picture is of a king who finds his forces outnumbered as he considers going to battle. After calculating the cost in terms of destruction, he decides that appealing for peace is a better idea.
In the case of building the tower, all the options lay with the builder. In the case of potential war, the situation is forced on the king. Only a foolish king would try to take on a stronger foe when he is outnumbered two to one. So, it is prudent to seek peace with the stronger foe. There is a “more powerful one” than Satan to deal with in life: God. It is wise to count the cost of facing Him. There are benefits in allying ourselves with God rather than having Him as the decidedly stronger enemy.
Those who are disposed to oppose God’s will should count the cost. Much better sue for peace with God on His terms. His terms for peace are gracious, but disciples must acknowledge that he is the source of life and spiritual well-being.
Discipleship is serious business to Jesus. To be a disciple and complete the task, we must count the cost. It is a good idea to sue for peace and come to terms with God. But that means we must humbly come to him on his terms. True discipleship requires that God be first. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world and land, bless and protect us all through Christ, our Lord Amen. Good morning.
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