Community Word: Life in Christ assures us of our heavenly inheritance.
Theme: We know and follow Christ’s teachings when we rely on God’s wisdom and plan.
Promise: “The Lord our God…prosper the work of our hands.” (Ps 90:17b)
Reflection:
In the Gospel passage, Jesus describes in no uncertain terms who can be His disciples: those who are “detached from closest relatives, from even his own life, (Lk14:26), from all his possessions (v33), and those who carry his own cross to follow Him” (v27). Jesus imposes these tough requirements to impress upon his followers that discipleship is a serious matter to be considered. It is not merely an organization where you can join and just leave anytime. Those who are seriously striving to claim heavenly inheritance must know and follow the teachings of Jesus to rely on God’s wisdom and plan for us.
Jesus is clear in stating that following Him must have priority over everything else, including our closest and most treasured earthly relationships. There should be no other relationship that comes ahead of Christ in our life because to put this or possessions above God is a form of idolatry which the Lord detests. When we are attached to our earthly life and give more importance to our possessions and attachments, it will be very difficult to share in Christ’s redemption victory. Dying to self and carrying our cross daily give value to all our sacrifices and sufferings to earn for us eternal life.
To help us understand the seriousness and depth of our Christian commitment, Luke’s gospel highlights the parables of the man “wishing to construct a tower” (cf Lk 14:28-30) and “the king marching to battle” (cf. Lk 14:31-32). In both instances, there must be deliberate consideration and careful study and planning prior to executing their actions. This gives us a message that becoming a follower of Jesus demands serious reflection and realistic evaluation of one’s moral strength. It tells us to be proactive in knowing the consequences of a decision, and once a decision is made, one must be committed to it.
Following Jesus is not merely a matter of emotional high one experiences during the LSS, Encounter, or prayer meeting. These experiences should lead us to go deeper into knowing that there is more to be done to grow in understanding the calling of the Lord. Faith journey as a Christian requires dedication and perseverance in prayer, study of the word, receiving the Sacraments, witnessing to and serving others and being part of a community. All these entails preparation, reflection, dedication and sacrifice.
There is a cost of discipleship in following the Lord. It is not easy to follow God’s wisdom and plan for our life. Many times what we want is not in accord with the plan of God resulting in our disobedience to His will. That is why following Jesus asks us to be discerning, sacrificing, persevering and committed. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches us: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” When we are focused on Jesus and His teachings, we will always see clearly how God is directing our life.
Do we expect to be faithful followers of Jesus and reach heaven without the price which Christ is asking us to pay? The new life God imparts inevitably results in a new way of life in accord with its nature, namely, growth in holiness. God, “who began that good work in us, will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6). As the seed of the Word bears fruit in us, God’s promise shall be fulfilled, “The Lord our God … prosper the work of our hands.” (Ps 90:17b).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, take me to a new level of discipleship. Touch my heart, enlighten my mind, stir my spirit and teach me to share the fruits of our faith. Continue to help me proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel by word and by deed all the days of my life. Take my life and all for the privilege of serving you, for your glory now and forever. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
- What hinders me from following God’s direction and becoming a true and faithful disciple of Jesus?
- Knowing that being a Christian requires sacrifices, in what way will I be able to commit to the Lord as His disciple in community when called to do so?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
September 4, 2022 (Sun) – Wis 9:13-18/ Ps 90:3-4,5-6,12-13,14-17/ Phl 9-10,12-17/ Lk 14:25-33
September 5, 2022 (Mon) – 1Cor 5:1-8/ Ps 5:5-6, 12/ Lk 6:6-11
September 6, 2022 (Tue) – 1Cor 6:1-11/ Ps 149:1-6, 9/ Lk 6:12-19
September 7, 2022 (Wed) – 1Cor 7:25-31/ Ps 45:11, 12, 14-17/Lk 6:20-26
September 8, 2022 (Thurs) – Mi 5:1-4/ Ps 13:6, 6/ Mt 1:1-16, 18-23
September 9, 2022 (Fri) – 1Cor 9:16-19, 22-27/ Ps 84:3-6, 12/ Lk 6:39-42
September 10, 2022 (Sat) – 1Cor 10:14-22/ Ps 116:12, 13, 17, 18/ Lk 6:43-49
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
