Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
“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. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:26-27).
I would like to share two experiences with you before I conclude with some practical implications.
First, I read today’s gospel passage as I left behind my eighty-eight old mother. The night that I left, my mother and I held each other and prayed. They were emotion-filled moments. As we prayed, we kept our eyes on the gospel of Jesus. We know and we are comforted by the fact that it is the Gospel that keeps us apart. Almost 42 years ago, she gave me to the Church. And 42 years back and I left home because I heard the call of the gospel. None of us knew then how our initial commitment would play out. Today, it would be wonderful if I could move home and take care of my mother. My brother has moved my mother in with him and has been heroic in taking care of her. But mom would love to be in her home, among her siblings, and in the house in which my dad passed away. I can make that happen for her. But the gospel call is what takes precedence over all our human needs. Mom and I are committed to the Gospel. We know as hard as it is that God will continue to guide our heart’s desire.
Second, on the 14-hour flight from Doha to Chicago, I watched the movie, “Mufasa: The Lion King”. It is about is about the making of Mufasa, Simba’s father, in my all-time favorite movie, “The Lion King”. What holds the movie together is the concept of Milele. It means “forever” or “eternity.” Right at the beginning of the movie, Mufasa’s parents introduced him to the concept of Milele. Soon, a devastating flood separated Mufasa from his parents. He survived the fllod, and through the many challenges, encountering evil prides of lions, with friends he made along the way, he brings himself and the entire animal kingdom to Milele – to eternity. The movie is replete with Christian symbolisms. Often, I feel that Disney does the gospel better than many Christians do.
Both of these experiences come together in Jesus two parables in today’s gospel reading - one about constructing a tower and the second one about a king marching to battle. But more importantly, these parables are about discipleship. Many people were travelling with Jesus. But there is a different between those who travel with Jesus and those who follow him. So Jesus said, “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. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:26-27).
Let me say three things about discipleship based on today’s gospel reading.
Discipleship is A Perspective
A person constructing a tower, a king heading into battle, a person beginning college, a person getting married, a person having children, a person choosing to follow Jesus must begin with the end in sight. The question to be asked is, “What is the end goal?” From the Christian] perspective the end goal is Milele, forever, eternity, the reign of God. Like Mufasa, we always carry Milele in our hearts and in our souls. When Jesus says, “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,” he is not saying that we hate our family and ourselves. He is saying that we live with a Christian perspective; that we live with the end in sight; that we live our lives aware that we are journeying towards Milele.
Discipleship is A Stance
Milele lies at the end. We don’t see it now. Meanwhile, we have a lifetime before we are actually there. In the here and now, though, we do all that we can to ensure that we do indeed accomplish the goal. Like the man who wants to construct the tower or the king preparing for battle, a Christian disciple has a vision in life, he or she makes choices, calculates the cost, and makes the sacrifices. Life and its complexities, its uncertainties, its sufferings, its relationships can sometimes blur our vision. Often life itself can seem futile and meaningless. Like Mufasa, we too can feel lost. But, like Christ who invites us to follow him, we take a stance for Milele. Discipleship helps us take stance towards eternity.
Discipleship is a Journey
The most consoling part of Jesus’ call the discipleship is that it is a journey. In the Gospel of Luke, once Jesus begins his ministry, he is shown resolutely moving toward Jerusalem. There he is betrayed, crucified, and killed. Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem with Milele in his heart. He took a stance as he travelled through towns and villages – teaching, healing, helping, doing good, and leading his friends, followers, and indeed, all of humanity into Milele.
As disciples, you and I think of both life and discipleship as a journey. We are on the way. Yes, we have a lifetime to make mistakes, fall, get up, learn, look up, take up the cross, follow Christ and let him help us get to Milele. Milele does not happen at the end. Milele is happening now. We are on that journey today, now, in this very moment.
Today, let us become aware of a few things – eternity, our unique life, Jesus Christ, our baptismal call to discipleship, and the journey we are on toward Milele. Let us keep the perspective. Let us take a stance. Let us be on the journey.
Fr. Satish Joseph