"THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP"
Today (September 8) we celebrate the birthday of our Heavenly Mother Mary. On this day the universal Church celebrates this feast with great devotion and gaiety.
First of all she is the mother of Jesus, the saviour of the humankind.
Secondly she is also our heavenly mother. At the foot of the cross Jesus told St. John:" This is your mother".
First Reading: Wisdom 9: 13-18
Second Reading: Philemon 9-10,12-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 25-33
* First reading is from the book of Wisdom. This passage gives us a message that faced with the mysteries of the universe, we are ignorant of the meaning of history and the mind of God. But God has given us the Wisdom. God sent the Holy Spirit so that we may walk in the right path so as to conduct our affairs prudently.
* Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Philemon. In this passage Paul advises Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus who had run away and somehow reached Paul who was at that time imprisoned. Paul brought Onesimus to faith. Paul urges Philemon to take Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
"Renunciation the pre-condition for discipleship"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage explains to us the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The context is that of Jesus' instructions to His would-be disciples. He told them that to follow Him first of all they should count the cost of being a disciple. He made two demands. The first one was that they have to hate their family and one's own very self. The second one was that they have to take up their crosses and follow Him. Hence Jesus made it clear to His would-be disciples that they must be ready to sacrifice the dearest things in their lives: family ties and one's own very life. In certain situations in life a disciple may have to choose between Jesus and what is dear to him/her.
Jesus further explained this message through two parables. Jesus pointed out that discipleship has to be taken seriously. It could mean they have to undergo persecutions and even death in certain cases. Throughout the history of the Church discipleship had cost much sufferings and even death. As in any other sphere of life one should weigh the pros and cons and then take a final decision. One must calculate the cost before venturing out.
Accepting the cross gives us immense graces that will lead us to eternal life. Bl. Mother Mary whose nativity we celebrate today is a prime and perfect example of discipleship.
"The first call which every Christian experiences is the call to abandon the attachments of this world" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"The key (to discipleship) is not to ignore life's demands but simply to integrate them to your life of faith. That is why Jesus teaches that we are to seek the Kingdom first and then all else will be provided" - D.M. Bickerstaff.
" To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more self" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Today (September 8) we celebrate the birthday of our Heavenly Mother Mary. On this day the universal Church celebrates this feast with great devotion and gaiety.
First of all she is the mother of Jesus, the saviour of the humankind.
Secondly she is also our heavenly mother. At the foot of the cross Jesus told St. John:" This is your mother".
First Reading: Wisdom 9: 13-18
Second Reading: Philemon 9-10,12-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 25-33
* First reading is from the book of Wisdom. This passage gives us a message that faced with the mysteries of the universe, we are ignorant of the meaning of history and the mind of God. But God has given us the Wisdom. God sent the Holy Spirit so that we may walk in the right path so as to conduct our affairs prudently.
* Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Philemon. In this passage Paul advises Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus who had run away and somehow reached Paul who was at that time imprisoned. Paul brought Onesimus to faith. Paul urges Philemon to take Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
"Renunciation the pre-condition for discipleship"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage explains to us the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The context is that of Jesus' instructions to His would-be disciples. He told them that to follow Him first of all they should count the cost of being a disciple. He made two demands. The first one was that they have to hate their family and one's own very self. The second one was that they have to take up their crosses and follow Him. Hence Jesus made it clear to His would-be disciples that they must be ready to sacrifice the dearest things in their lives: family ties and one's own very life. In certain situations in life a disciple may have to choose between Jesus and what is dear to him/her.
Jesus further explained this message through two parables. Jesus pointed out that discipleship has to be taken seriously. It could mean they have to undergo persecutions and even death in certain cases. Throughout the history of the Church discipleship had cost much sufferings and even death. As in any other sphere of life one should weigh the pros and cons and then take a final decision. One must calculate the cost before venturing out.
Accepting the cross gives us immense graces that will lead us to eternal life. Bl. Mother Mary whose nativity we celebrate today is a prime and perfect example of discipleship.
"The first call which every Christian experiences is the call to abandon the attachments of this world" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"The key (to discipleship) is not to ignore life's demands but simply to integrate them to your life of faith. That is why Jesus teaches that we are to seek the Kingdom first and then all else will be provided" - D.M. Bickerstaff.
" To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more self" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
