23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2022
Wisdom 9:13-18 Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Luke 14:25-33
We live in a world of ‘Media’. Communications seem to be the major factor of most people’s lives now. There are constant text messages, internet connections, web sites, news-updates. Spin doctors seem to have all the power and PR specialists and Press officers are indispensable. Very often the Truth can get lost or can be greatly compromised.
Perhaps the big event in today’s Gospel reading needed some of the communication instruments mentioned above. The ‘great crowds’ would have pleased the promoters of the event but the message would have to be softened or ‘dumbed-down’ a bit. You don’t want to put people off!!!
Why were people coming to meet with Jesus? Had they heard of the signs and wonders, the healings and the wise and uplifting words of this man, Jesus?But when they came He said “Take up your cross”. Now that’s not what anyone wants to hear. But perhaps it’s only a figure of speech – a way of saying ‘if you want to be a disciple, you need to make some sort of effort’!
We think back to the teaching of Jesus in last Sunday’s Gospel: “when you have a party, don’t invite family and friends” and realise that Jesus was using a sort of humour to emphasise that it is important to consider those in need and those who are often excluded when we are celebrating and enjoying the good things of life.
And then we hear in today’s Gospel about “hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters”!! Surely this runs contrary to “Love your neighbour as yourself” and “Love one another as I have loved you”. Jesus seems to be using this sort of language to attract attention again. We have to try to interpret the real meaning of His message. The passage from the Book of Wisdom, our 1st Reading today contrasts our understanding of created things with our glimpses of heavenly things. “Who can know the intentions of God? Who can divine the Will of the Lord? Our Christian theology emphasises that ‘God is always greater’ (Deus semper maior). Wisdom is a gift from above and the Holy Spirit is that Wisdom. We are given the grace to put God first in our lives. If we are to be true disciples, every person and everything must give way to the Lord Jesus in our lives. This does not preclude love for and respect for everyone and everything which has been created by God. But God is always First.
Each day we profess our Faith and Trust in God when pray ‘Our Father …’ When we opt to be disciples of the Lord we need to consider what is required. We must be prepared for an all-embracing relationship. How do we learn to do that?
It’s back to the subject of communication! Communication between me and God. That is what we seek in our prayer, our deep and personal prayer, acknowledging God’s presence in us, in our daily lives and in our world, God’s creation.