The Cost of Discipleship"


Sunday Mass Readings

The cost of commitment to one’s faith can be great. In the first reading, we see Daniel and his companions unwilling to defile themselves by eating the unclean food of a foreign king. Although they have been given a place of great honor, including the opportunity to share of Nebuchadnezzar’s food and wine, the men choose instead to eat only vegetables and drink only water, rather than abandon the practices and beliefs of their religion, which believes only in the one God. Likewise, in the gospel reading, we see the poor widow putting in two coins. While this is a small amount objectively speaking, it is her livelihood, as Jesus says. Both Daniel and the widow demonstrate the cost of a faith commitment. And yet, beyond that, they exhibit the reward of such commitment. Daniel and his companions enter the king’s service and are found to be “ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom,” despite their vegetarian diet. Meanwhile, the widow passage in Luke’s gospel is followed by Jesus’ talk about the end times. While the destruction will be great, those who have persevered in the faith will be saved. In this context, Jesus seems to indicate that the widow’s reward will be great.

Hence in both passages, we find exhibited the cost and the reward of faith. In reading them, however, we may be inclined to disregard them too easily. We may think, “Oh, the poor widow story…isn’t that sweet?” or “Wow, that Daniel stuff is great.” Such a response does not treat these texts with the reverence they deserve. These are not merely cutesy stories to be enjoyed from a safe distance. Rather they are texts that should shape who we are. We are people called to be faithful like Daniel, to be generous and trusting like the poor widow.

As we approach the end of our liturgical year, may we contemplate our final end and strive to make our lives worthy of eternal life with God. For it is in this commitment to our faith, this generosity, trust, and sacrifice, that we are given the grace to live as children of God, and to share in a heavenly reward. Let us pray for strength and perseverance in our own journey as disciples.

- Maria Morrow