“The Cost of Discipleship” by Colleen O’Sullivan
Brothers
and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who
loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
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?
(Luke 14:25-28)
Piety
Prayer for Generosity
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Lord Jesus, teach me to be
generous.
Teach me to serve you as
you deserve,
To give and not to count
the cost,
To fight and not to heed
the wounds,
To toil and not to seek
for rest,
To labor and not to seek
reward,
Except that of knowing
that I do your will. Amen.
Study
About two months ago, I had knee replacement
surgery. At some point beforehand, my orthopedic surgeon commented that recovering
from knee replacement surgery was a great deal more painful than recovering
from hip replacement surgery. I heard him, but his words didn’t translate into
anything close to reality. About 8½ years
ago, I had hip replacement surgery and, once I got out of the hospital, I don’t
remember it as anything more than moderately uncomfortable at night. However, I
have discovered in many ways that rehabilitating a knee is definitely in a
whole different league!
I thought about this as I read Jesus’ words to
the crowds. I wonder what they heard
when our Lord said, “whoever does not carry his own cross…” I’m sure everyone
heard the words he uttered, but did they have any idea what he was talking
about or any inkling what it’s like to carry a cross? When we set out to “bring
a friend to Christ,” do we lay out the cost, so would-be followers have a
chance to consider the journey they’re contemplating seriously?
St. Ignatius’ prayer for generosity makes
Jesus’ point using less startling language. Discipleship is about how we relate to the
Lord, the One who gave his life for us. Put Jesus before everything and
everyone else. Please don’t complain about what this may cost us. Don’t look
for gold stars or other rewards. All the reward we need is knowing that we’re
doing what Jesus asks of us.
Action
The Christian life is a journey. It seems that as
we travel, we learn over and over what carrying a cross means. I’m not sure it
is possible to calculate beforehand what discipleship might cost us. Crosses
come in colors and shapes we can never conceive of at the start. And time and
again, we find ourselves needing to recommit ourselves to staying the path. Maybe
that’s part of what we could share with those friends we seek to lead to
Christ.
When you are praying today, take a few minutes to
reflect on the crosses you’ve been asked to carry. Give thanks for those
persons, like Simon of Cyrene, who have helped you bear the weight of your
particular burdens. And be aware that Jesus has yoked himself to each of us to
help us on life’s journey.
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