23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); September 4, 2022

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 did you really say that?  Surely you don’t literally  mean what you 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, along with our parents and siblings if we’re going to follow him?! 

            These words are troubling and seemingly scandalous to those who think entry into the Kingdom of God can be limited to bonds of blood or by extension to membership in a particular group, tribe, or nation.  When “family” becomes the decisive criterion for what we consider right and good, we can end up justifying or even “consecrating” practices that lead to a culture of privilege and exclusion: we favor our in-group over others, which leads to favoritism, patronage, and eventually corruption. Jesus is demanding that we see beyond these parochial concerns and to see others as our brothers and sisters, of being sensitive to their lives and situations regardless of their racial, cultural, social, or national background.  If we don’t do this, then we can’t be Jesus’ disciple.  His devoted and unconditioned love is a free gift given to all and meant for all.  If we’re going to follow Jesus, then our hearts must be as expansive as his is. 

            If Jesus words on family we’re harsh enough, he 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 as he wants us to hate everything we do enhance our lives.  I think what Jesus is getting out is our continual drive to self-justification, because we think that our lives are really about ourselves and everything we do depends exclusively on our efforts and resources.  As we heard in the first reading from Wisdom, the race to amass the goods of the world can become stifling and overwhelming: “For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weights down the mind that has many concerns” (Wis 9:15).  Such a disposition just increases our selfishness and our willingness to use any means to get what we want.  Jesus is demanding that we hate our egoic, False Self, so that we can rediscover  how to be grateful and to realize that our life is more than personal triumph,  but that our life and our talents are the fruit that come from a gracious God:  everything we are and everything we have are gifts. 

            A prayer from Psalm 63, Ardent Longing for God, offers us insight into what Jesus may mean.  We hear, Lord, “For your love is better than life” (v. 4). “Your love is worth more than 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 own life.  Are we ready for that kind of commitment?  Are we ready for everything to give way for the Kingdom of God?

            What Jesus is doing is to free us from the greatest obstacle that, in the end, is one of the worst forms of enslavement: self-absorption, living only for oneself.  It is the temptation to fall back into our private little world, which ends up leaving no room for God and other people.  Such a small universe only allows entry to those who meet our needs and expectations.  So, the poor and marginalize can’t gain entry.  At the same time, we no longer hear the voice of God, we no longer enjoy the quiet joy of his presence and love, we no longer strive to promote the common good.  Many people who live a self-referential, narcistic life can seem to be secure and comfortable, but they end up being bitter, resentful, suspicious, and lifeless.  This is no way to live a full and dignified life which gives God glory.  It is not God’s will that we live this way, which is why Jesus challenges us to “hate our life,” so that we can live the life in the Spirit who is the source in the heart of the risen Christ (cf. Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 2).

            Church, as we stand before today’s readings, 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.