Twenty-third Sunday of the Year, C – August 4, 2016.
Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18B; Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17; Phmn. 9-10, 12-17; Gospel Lk 14:25-33.
Theme: Are you possessed by your possessions? A reflection on detachment!
We live in a society where market forces determine prices of goods and services. On daily basis economists and business moguls unleash upon us a society which maximises profit. The rat race of survival of the fittest and the elimination of the unfit make the world a profit-oriented globe which places high premium on material possessions.
Sadly, we are caught up in the quagmire of a society that “objectifies” and “commodifies” human beings. The commercialisation of relationships based on utility friendship further worsens the situation.
It is very easy for people to relate with you on the basis of what you have and what they stand to get from you than who you are. Most people are often attracted to celebrities and politicians with the hope that they would get connected or enriched than other hoi polloi.
The gospel (Luke 14:25-33) tells us that “great multitudes accompanied him.” The question is, why were they following him? A theological-guess would be, because of the miracles he performed. Knowing that their minds were fixed on what they would benefit from him materially rather than following the royal road of the cross, Jesus changed the narrative.
According to the text, Jesus turns and gives the crowd two thunderbolts; first - “If any one 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.”
The word “hating” is not a call to denounce one’s biological family and or life. Instead, it is a hyperbole which stands for our primary allegiance to Jesus rather than any human affiliation.
The word “hating” reinforces the teaching of Jesus in Matthew (10:37): "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Again, the reading calls us to develop an undivided loyalty to God above family loyalties.
Jeannine Brown opines that “[the] phrase indicates that giving up self interest and competing loyalties are central to discipleship. Neither of these sayings of Jesus lend themselves to an ‘easy believism’ or a ‘low-cost’ form of faith. Instead, they stress the high cost of following Jesus.” He further notes that, “Discipleship is defined by following Jesus and carrying the cross.”
This brings us to Jesus’ second remark: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Our liturgy demands that we don’t go for what the German Lutheran Pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace" – that is, a discipleship that is easy.
On the contrary, we ought to work towards a discipleship that is expensive - A discipleship that is entered into while deeply consideration the consequences and costs. Brown surmises that “This passage speaks to the importance of loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties, including family, self-interest, and possessions.”
Just as many people prefer things that are cheap, Christians are often tempted to go after a ‘low-cost’ faith. Experience has shown that cheap things do not last - They fade with the passage of time like a cheap shoe that does not last for a year. Conversely, an expensive shoe can last for up to five or six years.
To be sure, inferior commodities are often packed in attractive colours for unsuspecting customers. Little wonder, the saying goes: “All that glitters is not gold.” Jesus warns that the road that leads to perdition is wide while urging that we go by the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13).
Jesus goes ahead to give two little parables about a king who intends to engage in war and a builder who plans to raise a tower to drive home the point that it amounts to foolishness to embark on such plans without first, counting the cost; failure of which results in ridicule.
We are reminded that Christianity is not a cash and carry kind of religion – neither is it an insurance policy which covers trials and temptations because we pay the premium of prayer and good works.
We must resist the prosperity gospel which denounces the cross as our emblem of faith. The last line of the gospel confirms the cost of disciple: “None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”
This resonates with the message of the first reading (Wisdom 9:13-18B) which urges us to toe the path of the saints who thought heavenward. The reading cautions against earthly concerns stressing that we should seek God’s counsel.
Detachment from the world entails embracing divine realities. The second reading (Phmn. 9-10, 12-17) points to the saying, “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” Saint Paul intercedes for Onesimus urging his master to receive him as a brother and no longer a slave. If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, it becomes easy for us embrace the cross of forgiving those who sin against us. Shunning the worldly trappings of materialism would also come easily.
Rather than gluing ourselves to the mundane things of this world, Jesus demands that we be detached from human affiliations and created things which come between us and him. The implication is that the Christian religion is not a low-risk endeavour.
Don’t always look for Jesus the-wonder-worker – look also to Jesus the-crucified. The Lord does not expect that we be possessed by our possessions. Are you possessed by your possessions? This reflection on detachment from wealth, human affiliations and the world for God’s sake is for you. Don’t be indicted – Have a terrific ahead!
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