Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis
with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Twenty-third
Sunday of the Year, C – September 8, 2019.
Readings: Wisdom
9:13-18B; Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17;
Philemon 9b-10,
12-17; Gospel Lk 14:25-33.
Theme:
Detachment: An Indispensable Virtue for the Kingdom!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, we are living in a society where there
is an apparent rat race of survival of the fittest and the elimination of the
unfit. We are living in a profit-oriented world which places high premium on
material possessions. On a daily basis, economists and business moguls are unleashing
upon us a society which maximises profit and minimises loss. Little wonder,
market forces determine prices of goods and services. We are caught up in the
quagmire of a society which “objectifies” and “commodifies” human beings.
Sadly, today, the commercialisation of relationships is
based on utility friendship. This has further worsened the situation. This mentality
has also affected discipleship and discipling. In this refection titled,
“Detachment: An Indispensable Virtue for the Kingdom,” we are urged to fix our
gaze on divine realities by being detached from wealth, human affiliations and
the world so as to be attached to Christ. We shall consider a summary of the
readings in order to derive the desired lessons.
Background
and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Wisdom 9:13-18B) emphasis that we
cannot comprehend the mind of God and what is in the heavens. It further discloses
how the saints used wisdom to look heavenward. It also cautions against earthly
concerns stressing that we should seek God’s counsel.
The second reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) tells how
Saint Paul interceded for Onesimus urging his Master to receive him as a
brother and no longer a slave. It points to fraternal correction and reveals
how Masters should treat their servants in love.
The gospel (Luke 14:25-33) narrates how Jesus tells the
crowd following him to develop an undivided loyalty to God above family
loyalties. It particularly recounts how he called the attention of his
followers to the cost of discipleship by giving two parables about the man who
intends to build and a king who is preparing for war. In the end, Jesus surmised: “So in the same way, none of you can be my
disciple unless he gives up his possessions.”
3 Kinds of
Detachment
1. Detachment
from Wealth: The allure of riches has distracted
many Christians from following Christ. The story of the rich young ruler (Matthew
19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31 & Luke 18:18–30) and Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16:19-31) underscores the need for detachment from material wealth so as to make
heaven.
2. Detachment
from Human Affiliations: Most Christians
have failed to answer the call to discipleship because of their affinity to
family and friends. Jesus’ reaction to the man who wanted to say goodbye to his
family and the other who wanted to go and bury his father (Lk 9:59-61) demonstrates
that detachment from human affiliations is key to discipleship and
discipling.
3. Detachment
from the World: The crisis of faith which
many Christians experience today may not be unconnected with their lust for the
things of this world. It was partly because of this that Adam and Eve sinned
against God. The scripture which says, “You cannot serve both God and Mammon” (Lk
16:13) calls us to be more and more detached from the world in order to be
connected to Christ.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Seek God’s
Counsel: The first reading (Wisdom 9:13-18B) urges us to follow
the path of the saints who thought heavenward even as it admonishes us to seek
God’s counsel by not dwelling on earthly concerns.
2. Embrace
Divine Realities: The second
reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) reveals that detachment entails embracing divine
realities because if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, it will be
easy for us to embrace the cross of forgiving those who have hurt us and also
shun the worldly trappings of materialism
.
