23^rd Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Loving Jesus more and our kith and kin less

Readings: Wis 9:13-18b; Philemon 9b-10,12-17; Lk 14:25-33

Dear friends in Christ, today's gospel reading presents us with one of the statements that many find hard to accept as originating from Jesus. In this gospel passage, He said, “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

We know very well that Jesus didn’t hate his own parents, relatives, and friends (his apostles); in fact, he loved deeply. We also recognize that Jesus taught us to love everyone, including strangers and enemies, and that one should be willing to sacrifice his life for those he loves. Therefore, the initial response of anyone who hears this challenging demand from Jesus in today's gospel might be to question why Jesus would urge people to hate their family members and themselves as a condition for being His disciple. It is actually very strange. Nevertheless, it is this slight confusion that we aim to clarify in today's homily.

The first step towards understanding what Jesus actually wanted from his disciples when He made that statement would be to briefly examine what he said semantically. The Hebrew language lacks comparatives. For instance, in the Hebrew language, it is not possible to speak of loving something more or less than another. The only option available is to speak of loving or hating. Furthermore, the Hebrew verb for to hate – שִׂנאָה – does not imply dislike, to detest, or to abhor; instead, it implies ‘loving less’. This is evident in the Old Testament, where such expression was used. For example, in Genesis 29:30-33, where it is mentioned that Jacob loved Leah less than Rachel, and in Deuteronomy 21:15-17, which discusses the division of property.

Consequently, when Luke reported that Jesus said anyone who comes to him without hating his father, mother, wife, children, relatives and even his own self is not worthy of him, it did not imply that Jesus was promoting hatred towards family members. Rather, Jesus was indicating that anyone who desires to follow him must love him more than they love their family and themselves. This notion is further supported in the Gospel of Matthew 10:37, where it is explicitly stated that Jesus said, “Whoever loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me.”

By encouraging anyone who aspires to be his genuine disciple to love Him more than he loves himself, his family, and friends, Jesus is telling those who wish to follow Him to prioritize Him above all personal preferences and the desires of their families and friends. It is a reminder that the first commitment of every Christian should be to Jesus and that Christianity is a call to self-renunciation for the sake of God’s kingdom. This is further illustrated in the subsequent statements of Jesus in today’s gospel. He said, “Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple,” and “Whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Following Jesus is a vocation that transforms people’s choices and actions, often setting them against the currents of society, which can lead to insults and persecutions. Hence, the choice to follow Jesus requires thoughtful consideration and a profound commitment. That was why Jesus wanted everyone to reflect deeply before deciding to follow Him, so that one will not say “yes” today and “no” tomorrow when confronted with the serious challenges of life. This is the meaning of Jesus’ parables of the man planning to build a tower and the king preparing to wage war against another king in today’s gospel.

How can we demonstrate that our love for Jesus surpasses our love for ourselves, our families, and our friends? How can we exhibit genuine commitment to Jesus? Dear friends, whenever our preferences or desires, as well as those of our families, friends, workplaces, and society, conflict with the teachings of Jesus, we show our greater love for Him by choosing to follow His commands, regardless of the consequences. That’s what Jesus wants from a true disciple.

Why must we prioritize Jesus above all else? In this regard, the first reading provides valuable insight. It extols the wisdom of God, contrasting it with the reasoning and plans of mortals, which are ultimately futile and prone to misguidance, because the human intellect is burdened by the limitations of the perishable body and worldly concerns. This reading further underscores that it is only when God imparts His wisdom and sends His spirit upon the earth that people on earth will be guided correctly and learn to act righteously. Given our finite nature, which limits our understanding and abilities and hinders us from identifying the best course for ourselves and for humanity, it is solely through the guidance of God – who is infinite and knows tomorrow with clarity, and in whose eyes a thousand years are like yesterday – that we find what is truly best for us. God’s wisdom should be favoured over the limited perspective of humanity, which cannot foresee the future with clarity.

The second reading provided a concrete example of prioritizing and adhering to the voice of God over our personal preferences and societal norms. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave and found himself in prison, possibly due to an offense against Philemon. In this reading, St. Paul was urging Philemon not only to forgive and reinstate Onesimus in his service but also to set aside the conventional slave-master relationship that existed between them, embracing Onesimus as a brother instead. This was a call to accept the divine wisdom that makes everyone equal before God instead of the conventional human wisdom that relegates Onesimus to the status of a slave under Philemon. It was a big challenge for Philemon; he accepted it as a true Christian.

Dear friends, being a true disciple of Jesus entails subduing our own desires and those of others around us in order to fulfil His will, trusting that He knows better than we do, and that His guidance will never lead us astray.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 23^RD SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

DISCIPLINE: THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE

(Luke14:25-33)

Discipline is a word that is taken seriously by only a very few. Discipline is what differentiates the serious person from a careless one. It is the path to life in Christ. Discipline is an attitude of a disciple. Discipline stems from 'disciple' which comes from the Latin root 'discipuli'. A 'discipuli' is a student, a pupil, a follower. In the Palestinian context, he is a student of a particular rabbi or master. John the Baptist had his own disciples. Jesus, when He came, like others who lived before Him gathered people around Him and many too conglomerated around Him by themselves. His teachings, works and way of life attracted people to Him; and behind Him a lot of people trooped.

Thus, in the Gospel of today, He looks to see those following Him and how they are following Him if they really knew the demands of such a decision.

 

WHO IS BEHIND ME?

The Igbo translates a disciple as 'Nwa azu' which literally means one who follows behind a master, who traces the steps of a teacher, a dedicated imitator, an apprentice, one who tries to learn from a master. He is so careful that he wishes not to miss any step. The good disciple is so disciplined that he reads every movement of the master and will not like to displease him. Thus, he keeps following with all in him.

As a caring master Jesus looks back. He wanted to know who and who is following and why. To His greatest dismay it was a large crowd.

He asks within Himself: why are all these coming behind me? Jesus wants to know those behind Him answering Christians and why they are following Him.

What are you doing behind Jesus? Jesus puts this question to you today: why are you following me? Following Jesus means keeping Him in front and making Him all that matters. As He leads the way, He wants to know who is really following.

 

Some people come to Jesus for protection, for vengeance, for fruit of the womb, to be fed, for healing etc. Are these the main reasons we should be following Jesus? After getting these what next? How long does your Christian discipline endure?

Since after your Baptism how far? Since after your marriage, how well are you living the marital life? Since after your ordination how priestly are you? Since after your profession, how serious have you been with those vows? Since you entered that public office what sacrifices are you making?  These are the things Jesus looks back to see. Are you living based on Christian disciplines and values? Are you a seasoned Christian indeed in that space you occupy?

Jesus looks back to see if really those behind Him are following like a crowd or as convinced disciplined individuals? Have you developed a special attitude in your relationship with God that marks you out positively before God as a special heavenly candidate?

 

HOW WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW

Admission into the Jesus' school of discipline is open with a price. Jesus says that it must not be with unwillingness to sacrifice one's love for any other thing that he has placed above Him: friends, family, relations, wealth, possession, ego, money, etc.

Self-control is a good synonym of discipline, not just self-control but Jesus-controlled life. Discipline demands keeping away the apparent sweet things to get hold of everlasting joy in the Lord. Discipline calls for the ability to stay focused on the goal of fulfilling the master's will.  Discipline means saying yes to the master's will and no to the agents of distraction enticing us with those easy-going, sweet solutions we desire. But sometimes, the hard way is the best way.

 

DISCIPLINE VS EASY LIFE

Discipline reminds you that nothing good comes easy, that following Jesus is walking along the heavenly way, it is not an easy road for we are travelling to heaven...

Discipline reminds you that marriage is not a bed of roses, that even roses have thorns. The couple should be mature to handle marital problems when they come and with self-control avoid some issues from arising at all.

It reminds you that the Christian life is not always about 'it shall be well with you' but also of the cross.

It warns the politician that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Discipline helps the student to study and not play away.

Discipline challenges the businessman not to be wasteful with time and resources.

Discipline encourages you to know that when the going gets tough, the tough must get going.

Discipline taught by Christ today helps you to sit and ponder; the way forward, to live an examined life, to ask oneself essential disciplinary questions with regard to walking according to Divine will.

Discipline empowers you to wage a war against indiscipline and conquer the enemies of our salvation be it the self, the world or the devil.

Child of God, may you be wise enough to follow Jesus with discipline today so that when our Lord looks back, He will find you following Him with the right disposition, not around the moneybags, not partying with those who have sold their consciences, not in the company of those who have no respect for values.

May we rather be found following with love and in obedience with the commandments of God. May our following attract the blessings, favours and mercies of the Lord to follow us all the days of our lives

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Almighty Everliving God, we thank You for calling us to follow you. Dear Lord, in following You there are many obstacles distracting us. Keep our hearts fixed on You. Give us the sufficient grace we need to be where You want us to be. May we not worship from afar but be drawn nearer to You even through the crosses on this way. Grant our prayers and bless us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you (23rd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh