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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The resources to finish

The resources to finish

Published Nov 7, 2023 04:05 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Jesus demands from his disciple total commitment. The priority of acting out God’s plan—the proclamation of the Kingdom of God — takes precedence over “father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life” (v 26). 

Discipleship means letting Jesus take over one’s life: to conform to his person, his attitudes, lifestyle, and itinerary. In a sense, Jesus’ agenda becomes the central focus of the disciple; Jesus is the one who directs the course of the disciple’s life. Hence, before making a commitment in life, it is important to make calculations, whether one has the capacity and resources to embark on this endeavor, especially since discipleship includes carrying the cross.

In any commitment or vocation, whether in marriage, priesthood, or consecrated life, fundamental option is the springboard of other acts of self-determination. When a disciple makes a fundamental option, all other subsequent choices are attached to it; in turn, his choices will remake him.

Gospel • Luke 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, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

 

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