Link to picture of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton new church www.fisheye.ws/church360/church360-3.html
Pdf booklet of new church
Sept. 5, 2010 Luke 14: 25-33
Connie May © 8/6/10
Drawing with permission from Fr. Bob Beck
Link to additional Beck (Choose this week’s column)
Stone, Naomi. Beloved One
Rolheiser, Fr. Ron. The Spirituality of Martyrdom
Additional Resources
ENTERING THE SCENE:
Considering the cost of a decision takes a lot of courage and wisdom. It usually begins with only a partial understanding of what will be demanded. The wise ones consult with a variety of others, those supporting the choice and those against it. Then the person has to go to quiet and hopefully prayer as they make their decision. One wonders how many long days and nights went into Jesus’ decision to go down to the river the day of his baptism. He knew that once he began his public teaching/ministry, the resistance would most likely be deadly. In this text, he is being “up front” about the cost of discipleship. Now we are faced with our own choice of how we are to live out our baptismal call.
Luke 14:25-33
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Have you ever had to give up someone/thing precious in order to be Jesus’ disciple?
PRAYER: Lord, you are so honest about everything. You clearly outline what might be my fate if I truly choose to live out my baptismal calling. You teach that those I love might not understand and want me to choose them over you. You make me strip away all illusions that following you will be cost free or relatively easy. I know that without you, it will be impossible. So please send your Spirit as I choose each day how to follow you. Amen.