23^rd Sunday in O.T. (C); 9-8-2019

Wis 9:13-18b   Ps 90   Phlm 9-10,12-17   Lk 14:25-33

Deacon Jim McFadden

 

Luke tells us that great crowds were following Jesus; he was a very popular man, a fascinating figure. If Jesus were physically with us today, he’d be all over the Internet, the focus of blogosphere scrutiny. He’d be a YouTube sensation with millions upon millions of views. One reason that the crowds were probably drawn to him is that they hoped to get something out of him because of his healing powers. Sensing this Jesus feels the need to articulate the cost of discipleship.

Listen to Jesus’ words: “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” (Lk 14:26). These words stop us in our tracks, and we want to respond, “Jesus, you surely can’t mean what you’ve just said.” The majority of parents love their children so much that they’d throw themselves under the bus if their child was endangered. And, Jesus wants us to hate our children if we are to follow him! These are extremely harsh words to hear then and now. But, they were probably more difficult to hear then because the Jewish culture was a kinfolk society—the whole society was organized around the family and clan. Loyalty to wife, children, parents was extremely important. Jesus just doesn’t say He wants us to prefer him to them, but he says unless we hate them, we can’t be His disciple. What does our Lord mean?

In a typically exaggerated Jewish way of making a point, I believe Jesus means that we can’t make our family more central than Jesus and his kingdom. We can’t make our beloved spouse or young children the highest value or the center of our life. Jesus is the center of our life: Jesus is the One, because he is Life itself. He is God among us. Brothers and sisters, God alone ultimately matters and everything else must find its place around this Ultimate Concern. Yes, even something as important as our family, must be of secondary importance.

Do you see how Jesus’ challenge runs counter to our privatized, conventional beliefs? I’ve got all my concerns lined up: education, career, marriage and family, retirement, etc. All of these endeavors are due our very best effort and commitment; indeed, they are duties we owe to ourselves and others.   On top of all of these responsibilities, we have the challenges posed by our Catholic faith. As were busy re-arranging the furniture in our life, we tend to take the same controlling attitude towards our faith. We’re o.k. being a Catholic as long as it doesn’t make too many demands. My religious practice is comforting, provides stability, and, hey, offers the promise of eternal life. That’s a good deal, isn’t it?!

Folks, that doesn’t work because it means that we are not following Jesus. If our family, career, and national allegiance occupy a higher priority amongst our concerns than Jesus, then we are not his follower; we’re simply using him for our religious purposes.

If that wasn’t harsh enough, Jesus takes it further when he says that unless we hate our own life, we cannot be His disciple. Now our life is being turned upside down. Jesus wants us to hate everything we do to enhance our lives. Inside we squirm; is there any wiggle room here? Can’t I follow Jesus on my terms in which I remain in control?

A prayer from Psalm 63, Ardent Longing for God, offers us insight into what Jesus may mean: Lord, “For your love is better than life” (v. 4).   “Your love is worth more than my physical life.” Sit with that, People of God.   Does it resonate with you?   If so, everything in our lives has got to be kicked out of the central place—even our very life. Are we ready for that kind of commitment? Are we ready for everything to give way for the Kingdom of God?

St. Augustine understood well what Jesus meant when the former said, “Love God for his own sake. Love everything else for the sake of God.” Such wisdom! That’s the right perspective; that’s it! We don’t let go of family, friends, ambitions, etc., but we don’t love them for their own sake. Instead we love them as gifts from God. And it is God alone whom we love with all our whole heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength (cf. Deut. 6:4).

Didn’t Jesus put it succinctly when he said, “Seek you first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and the rest will be given to you,” which means the rest of our lives will find their place around our central concern which is Jesus and his Kingdom.

Church, as the saying goes, “It’s time to fish or cut bait.” Jesus’ invitation to follow him will always take total dedication, trusting in him and entrusting ourselves to him. Let us pray for the grace to be His disciple and follow him unconditionally. Amen.