Discipleship calls us to humility, courage and perseverance in living the Gospel
by Sister Ann Rehrauer
This Sunday's Scriptures invite us to reflect on the meaning of discipleship. In the Gospel passage we heard last week (Lk 14:15-24) and that of this Sunday (Lk 14:25-33), Jesus speaks of the “cost” of being a true Christian disciple.
Last week, in the banquet parable, Jesus taught his followers that they were to take the lowest place when invited to a banquet. Humility is an essential characteristic of a follower of Jesus.
This Sunday, the lesson to the crowd is even more demanding: discipleship means leaving everything else behind, and with single-hearted devotion, taking up one’s cross. Not a very effective recruitment strategy if you’re looking for large numbers!
But that’s the point. Discipleship is not easy. And in Jesus' time, as in ours, anyone considering it should, like a wise builder, think about the cost involved before making a commitment.
This passage is the same Gospel the Church uses for the feast of saints like St. Norbert and Ignatius Loyola (founder of the Jesuits), but also for the feast of Holy Men and Women.
For some who responded to the call of discipleship – the cost was enduring extraordinary hardships, suffering or martyrdom, or giving up family and possessions. For others, it was leaving a homeland to preach or minister in distant lands or giving their lives to care for those most in need. And for many others, it was the sacrifices made in being Christian parents who cared for their families, or workers who lived their beliefs and ethics in the workplace, and others who sometimes lost their good reputation or the esteem of friends because of unpopular stands they were called to take because of their faith
All of us have been called – and have responded to the invitation to discipleship. Some days are easier or more difficult than others. But each day we strive to follow faithfully.
At this difficult time in our country and in our world, where so many of our brothers and sisters suffer, we continue to pray for the gift of Wisdom and courage promised by the Spirit to continue to seek justice, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with our God.
Thank you, Ann. There is a lot here to reflect on. You have given us a reminder of all the challenges that come with discipleship.