Discipleship - Twenty third Sunday Ordinary Time
Homily: Twenty Third Sunday Ordinary Time
Luke 14:25-33
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.
The Cost of Discipleship
This theme has pervaded the recent readings. We were encouraged to light our lamps and be prepared for the bridegrooms coming. Jesus statement I have come to set the earth on fire and do not think I have come to establish peace on earth, no but rather division. Gave us pause as we wondered what happened to love peace and joy. Next we were told to strive to enter through the narrow gate. Finally we are instructed to be disciples whose service is marked by humility.
Are we to interpret Jesus words literally? Am I to hate my family and my own life to be qualified to be a disciple of Christ?
Jesus used two examples to illustrate the cost of discipleship.
The building of a tower
The builder before beginning construction counts the costs of building the structure. By counting the cost he eliminates the possibility of running out of funds before the tower is finished.
The king going into battle
The king evaluates his troops and determines the strength of his enemy. If he determines his enemy is stronger he negotiates a peace treaty.
So the question we must answer, What am I willing to pay to be a disciple of Christ?
The answer based on the readings of the last several weeks is EVERYTHING
It is clear from the teachings of our Lord that we cannot be a part time casual disciple of Christ. We must choose Jesus over everything. We must be willing to accept suffering in his name. After all Jesus set the example by leaving his family and giving his all for love of the Father and you and I. His suffering puts any suffering I experience in perspective.
We cannot allow anything to prevent us from being faithful Disciples of Christ. Family and our own lives must not come between us and Jesus. What ever the cost it is not to high Jesus demands our all not a portion of our lives.
Like the builder and the king we count the cost and say yes to Jesus. In light of the gospel everything else is secondary.
We must set priorities. A deacon brother of mine is a huge Michigan football fan. During our formation if Michigan lost a game he would be in a funk for days. Saturday Michigan lost to Appalachian State. I sent him an email wondering if he was in mourning. He responded that since ordination college football though enjoyable was not a consuming activity.
Properly set priorities, counting the cost brings us to the place where we choose serving Jesus over all else. We must count the cost not only for ourselves but for those we serve. If we fail to be of service there is no one else to take our place.
The things of this world family and friends work children and any number of things pull us in many different directions. The cost must be counted and then we must understand that no matter the cost we must follow Christ.
Christ gave his all for us how can we give him less than our all?
Luke 14:25-33
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.
The Cost of Discipleship
This theme has pervaded the recent readings. We were encouraged to light our lamps and be prepared for the bridegrooms coming. Jesus statement I have come to set the earth on fire and do not think I have come to establish peace on earth, no but rather division. Gave us pause as we wondered what happened to love peace and joy. Next we were told to strive to enter through the narrow gate. Finally we are instructed to be disciples whose service is marked by humility.
Are we to interpret Jesus words literally? Am I to hate my family and my own life to be qualified to be a disciple of Christ?
Jesus used two examples to illustrate the cost of discipleship.
The building of a tower
The builder before beginning construction counts the costs of building the structure. By counting the cost he eliminates the possibility of running out of funds before the tower is finished.
The king going into battle
The king evaluates his troops and determines the strength of his enemy. If he determines his enemy is stronger he negotiates a peace treaty.
So the question we must answer, What am I willing to pay to be a disciple of Christ?
The answer based on the readings of the last several weeks is EVERYTHING
It is clear from the teachings of our Lord that we cannot be a part time casual disciple of Christ. We must choose Jesus over everything. We must be willing to accept suffering in his name. After all Jesus set the example by leaving his family and giving his all for love of the Father and you and I. His suffering puts any suffering I experience in perspective.
We cannot allow anything to prevent us from being faithful Disciples of Christ. Family and our own lives must not come between us and Jesus. What ever the cost it is not to high Jesus demands our all not a portion of our lives.
Like the builder and the king we count the cost and say yes to Jesus. In light of the gospel everything else is secondary.
We must set priorities. A deacon brother of mine is a huge Michigan football fan. During our formation if Michigan lost a game he would be in a funk for days. Saturday Michigan lost to Appalachian State. I sent him an email wondering if he was in mourning. He responded that since ordination college football though enjoyable was not a consuming activity.
Properly set priorities, counting the cost brings us to the place where we choose serving Jesus over all else. We must count the cost not only for ourselves but for those we serve. If we fail to be of service there is no one else to take our place.
The things of this world family and friends work children and any number of things pull us in many different directions. The cost must be counted and then we must understand that no matter the cost we must follow Christ.
Christ gave his all for us how can we give him less than our all?
