First reading: Wis. 9:13–18b

Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends? For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans. For the corruptible body burdens the soul  and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns. And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out? Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.

Second reading: Phlm. 9–10,12–17

I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment; I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

Gospel: Lk. 14:25–33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “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. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

In other words

by Fr. Jose H. P. Mateo, SVD (Paraguay)

DECEPTION is the practice of misleading others through lies or trickery (Merriam-Webster) to obtain what one wants. As a strategy for alluring or winning people to one’s side, deception is as old as humanity. The serpent employed this trick and deceived Adam and Eve. Nowadays, the internet is replete with fake news with a corresponding huge number of victims. Deception is used in religion, politics, business, drug trafficking, prostitution, and even romantic relationships. Some people try to present their best side by employing tricks and deception to entice others to join them.

Not in any way with Jesus. Jesus adopts a radical approach to recruiting people by laying all his cards on the table and openly revealing all his intentions, plans, and feelings. Devoid of deceptive intentions, Jesus handed down three tough demands for those who want to follow him.

At the outset, Jesus said: “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, he cannot be my disciple.” Is Jesus denying his followers their deep affection for their parents and family? Is it about abandoning and forgetting one’s family? Brutal demand?

On top of that, Jesus said: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Is Jesus a sadist? Does he want to inflict pain or humiliation on his followers? Or does he want to have disciples as masochists who will seek suffering, pain, denial, or degradation for its own sake? Tough command?

Moreover, Jesus said: “Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Is Jesus against all wealth and riches? Does he want his followers to become beggars and suffer humiliation? Are material possessions a severe obstacle to following Jesus? Harsh requirement?

Leaving home involves some tough goodbyes and heartbreaks. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is presented as somebody who leaves home to fulfill his mission. To leave home then means to consecrate oneself totally to a mission that comes from God. To carry one’s cross is to be ready to face all the trials and difficulties that a disciple may encounter throughout his life because of Jesus. To renounce all possessions means to make Jesus the only absolute value in life.

Following Jesus is tough! There are lots of hassles along the way, but the blessings always outnumber them a hundred times. You think the yoke is heavy until you find out it’s easy. That is the grace. and the joy of discipleship.