WEDNESDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo
Phil 2: 12-18; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Lk 14: 25-33
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Every disciple or every apprentice should be dedicated and committed in the new direction one has taken or new life one has chosen if one wants to be successful or reach one’s goal. Otherwise, that person will be a failure. This implies having total focus on the direction or choice one has made. In today’s reading we have the same thought running through. St Paul in the first reading firmly warns the Philippians that they need to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This does not mean physical fear and trembling but spiritual fear of being separated from God. He means to say that they need total dedication and maximum commitment and never be negligent.
In the Gospel passage we hear Jesus’ demand to his followers that they must be ready to detach themselves from all affections of this world and only be attached to His love. Besides one must be ready to accept daily crosses in order to express our dedication and commitment to Jesus. There is no more turning back. The two examples which Jesus gives explains what exactly He means. Before building a tower and before going to fight with the enemy, one is required to know one’s ability and capabilities. Otherwise, the whole enterprise will be a failure. So, Jesus wants every one of us be His genuine disciple who is ready to renounce everything in order to possess Him. Saints did the same and they invite us to follow them. St Teresa of Avila says: “God alone suffices”. It is not that Jesus tells us not to love anyone in this world, but that love should not be a hindrance to possess the love of God. Both love cannot go hand in hand or equally. So, we are able to recognize that it costs to be a dedicated disciple of Jesus or to possess God, and God alone, and this means that we give up or renounce all that is not God. Are we ready for this level of commitment? There cannot be a compromise in loving God with an undivided heart!
Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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