It seemed like a semi-regular occurrence on the farm. I or my dad would be working on something, perhaps the plumbing or perhaps some of our equipment. We’d arrive at the mid-point of the project where everything was dissembled, and we were starting to put everything back together, and we realized that some critical piece wasn’t right. Perhaps it was even worse- and that piece wasn’t there at all. And usually this resulted in calamity, because we had to do something to get it fixed quickly! There was no turning around at that point and we were certainly committed to the project at hand! So, we’d hop into the car and burn a trail into town to pick up that last piece or two, because we had to get it finished- and hopefully before the store closed that night!
This by no means is meant to be a unique experience, because likely we’ve all had similar moments. We arrive a the DMV and find out we don’t have that one document, and we have to go back. Or we had a check list at work to get done, and we accidentally left of that critical task. What do we do? Our response in all of these situations is likely going to be due to one particular necessary quality: commitment. Now, in some cases this is already incorporated for us- especially if you have the water shut off to the house, and it’s time for dinner, or something similar. Yet, it is a spine for a lot of our lives, whether in work, school, or simply at home. We have to remain committed and have to be aware of what that might cost us to be so dedicated to our mission and our goal.
It actually expands even further into our lives, however! Today, the particular selection used for our Gospel deals directly with this particular element of commitment, as it is titled “The Cost of Discipleship.” It can be a rather heavy gospel, at least when we read it in a certain way, and yet it gives us a question to consider in a very deliberate way: what is it going to cost me to be a disciple? How committed am I to this important mission?
The book of Wisdom today gives us a problem to consider in this vein, but it is a problem that is actually a form of instruction as to a practical reason to consider commitment to God in the first place. We are told, “Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends?” On the surface, it would seem that there is a simple response to this- “no one” and that would be the end of the story. We continue, and we are told that the “deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure our plans.” The body burdens the soul. We worry about homes, and we struggle with things on earth… how in the world can we expect to grasp things that are spiritual?!
The answer is actually quite simply given at the end: no one has ever known God’s counsel, except via wisdom- and the Holy Spirit. This is important that it is set up in this way of contradiction, because it reminds the Israelites and even us that there is always the temptation to seek after things ourselves, and just deal with them on our own- and yet it does not yield the end result we need, nor the end result we want.
We will return to that same idea in a moment, but we should continue with St. Paul’s letter to Philemon. This is an unusual letter in Paul’s writings because it is actually addressing a particular person. It addresses Philemon, who is Onesimus’s master, and Onesimus had run away and sought refuge with Paul. Paul, when he sees the plight and the hardship that Onesimus has endured, pens this letter, and it is actually a beautiful reflection on his thought into the matter, and the compassion that he has for Onesimus. The long and short of this letter is that it is a plea for freedom for him, but it is done in a way that respects Philemon. The reality of both Onesimus and Philemon is that they want to both be good disciples, and Paul is working to give them both the freedom to do just that.
Finally, the Gospel of Luke continues, and we find Jesus teaching again about the ability to be a disciples, but more in the format of what it could potentially cost to be a disciple, as I mentioned earlier. He turns to the great crowd that is following, and starts off, “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.” Now, immediately, it seems that there is a glaring issue with this word “hate.” While it does seem harsh, actually within the context of the scriptures, hate in this case means “detachment.” So, if we reframe what he is saying, it becomes a question of detachment. Whoever is not detached from their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, cannot be my disciple. This is an important statement, because it shows just how attached we should be to Christ, and detached from other things.
Continuing on, the second point- one must carry their cross. Finally, we arrive at the last encouragement “What king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king?” It is a certain way of assessment that must take place first, but it shows that Christ doesn’t want his followers blind to the fact that there might be some losses along the way, but it does boil down to a question of “commitment.”
That should come to us best in the form of a question: how attached and dedicated are we to following God?
First, in relation to the Gospel we need to consider how committed we are to following God. It may seem to be enough to simply call ourselves disciples, and perhaps check a few boxes here and there. Yet it isn’t enough. We have to be seeking after what God wants of each of us! Now, to be certain, the call as to what God will give each of us to do is very different, and we all have different cases and scenarios. Just because someone else does something and it looks great and spiritually beneficial does not mean it will be the same for us! Yet, the common element that we should all have is that commitment to following God!
Next, the last thing we should consider is detachment. This means that we have the freedom to follow God, no matter what. We aren’t going to be tied up or held down by things that are not beneficial to our journey towards heaven. That may mean that we do have to surrender certain possessions, certain goods, or even we have to realign relationships. Yet, if we are detached, it shows how committed we truly are to God and to His work in our lives! This comes with a couple of things to pray about this week: are there any things that are holding you back in your journey to Christ? Maybe our relationship with some of our possessions or goods, positions, or things could get in the way. Are we surrendering that to God? Then, the other positive upshot: are we responding to God’s call to follow Him in a full complete way? Again, this doesn’t mean that we are living like monks or hermits when we aren’t called to do so, but it does mean that we are following Him with everything that we have- and we are committed to following God in a powerful and profound way.
Finally, this needs to be qualified, brothers and sisters, by a gift of wisdom that we often call prudence. This is something that essentially gives us the ability to look through Jesus’s eyes like the book of Wisdom encourages. This is why we are able to, not only do well in our journey to him, but also get to know Him. Even while we consider how committed we are, and how detached we are, we cannot just throw everything to the side and be unrealistic. Prudence tells us that we are called to follow Christ in a specific way. We cannot just leave our vocations behind, and every relationship that is important to us, just because we feel it would be difficult and therefore a good idea. Rather, prudence listens for God’s voice so that, even as we strive to remain committed, we are realistic with ourselves and each other about what God calls us to do in a very real way. Practically, this should give us a point of homework to pray with: how is God calling me to be committed to Him? Are there things getting in the way that I need to put in right order, or is there something else that I should do to follow God more closely?
All in all, brothers and sisters, we shouldn’t treat our relationship with God as if it’s a plumbing project that we are going to be forced to finish, because we have no other option. We should make the choice freely and completely to follow him no matter what- because we know it leads to our fulfillment and happiness. Jesus reminds us- it may cost us something to be a disciple- but that will be nothing in comparison with what we gain.
May we be so committed to God and our faith that absolutely nothing will stand in the way of our journey to Him.
