THE WORD
Rom 13: 8–10 / Lk 14: 25–33
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If any one 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
As a construction engineer before entering the seminary, I learned that there are many factors why construction projects are cancelled: there might have been an oversight in planning, or cash flow might have run out, or the owners might no longer be interested in the project, among others.
Each time I drive along Quirino Avenue in Manila, I would always look with pity at the unfinished façade of the Paco Station. It was supposed to look like New York’s Grand Central Station, except that the historic PNR station’s rehabilitation project was abandoned halfway. Corroded and rusting steel bars are sticking out of the structure, its concreting slowly crumbling down, and I haven’t seen the magnificent clock on its top tell the right time. Whatever the reason for stopping the project, the sight of the abandoned building certainly makes me sad.
It is the same with us; we may have an oversight in our spiritual life, or feel that our faith has run out, or are no longer convinced about being authentic witnesses for Jesus. At some point in our life, as we carry our crosses and deny ourselves, we may get tired and find it easier to abandon the “project” to be true Christians.
In Luke’s account of today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to plan our lives and make sure that we are prepared and prudent in our actions as his followers. He challenges us to be vigilant and not complacent about our faith; He tells us tofocus on Him.
As Christians, we are asked to see beyond the material possessions we have, to break away from relationships that limit our growth into a deeper union with Him, and to strive to get through the challenges we face each day. We therefore pray that the Lord assist us in our journey, and keep us dedicated to pursue this lifetime project with Him.
- John Ferdinand Cruz, SVD (DWS, Tagaytay City)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
