Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10; Heb. 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53
The Cost of Discipleship
1. “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father.” This is what we read in today’s Gospel. It paints a gloomy picture of discipleship. Following Christ is not a bed of roses, but it is not all pain and suffering, either. The cost of discipleship is enormous; it costs not less than everything. It may even cost us our lives. The division and fire that ensue are the prices we all must pay. Because we do not live in an isolated world, but in one, we share with others who do not share our principles, ideals, faith, hope, and goals. This will naturally create disaffection and conflicts between followers and non-followers of Christ.
2. As a prophet, Jeremiah toed a fine line between speaking for God or telling people what they wanted to hear. He lived and died trying to change the course of human history by denouncing evil and doing good. He warned that the nation would be destroyed if the people continued in their evil ways. For saying that, he was condemned and thrown into a muddy cistern to die (Jer. 38:6). Jesus spoke of waging war against evil and bringing the fire of judgment on the wicked. Again, for talking like that, he was baptized with death (Lk. 12:50). Many priests, bishops, and religious men and women have gone through similar struggles to answer the call of discipleship. They suffered deprivations and torments of one kind or the other in their vocations. Their families and friends disowned them because they followed Christ. They lived a life of direct contradiction to those around them. This is the fire of purification that Christ came to ignite on earth. The division is caused by the choice that individuals have made, which directly contradicts the teaching of the gospel of Christ.
3. In many nations today, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, and leaders have often demonstrated by their actions that they are above the law. They are against anyone who opposes them. Those who protest against them are intimidated, condemned, and sometimes killed. Children, immigrants, and the poor are pushed around like sheep without a shepherd, and we feel helpless, hopeless, and powerless. We lack the courage and willpower to speak out against unjust situations for fear of repercussion and repression. And yet our Christian duties call us to stand up and speak out. We must be courageous and speak the truth to power no matter the outcome. As Christians, we are to be the voice of the voiceless. Our baptism urges us to identify with the widows and orphans, the downtrodden and the helpless, and be a sign of hope to the hopeless. How can we help the poor if we do not identify with them? How can we set the world on fire with love if we are unwilling to love? Christians must not allow fear to turn them into cowards and weaklings.
4. When we stand for what is right and speak out against injustice, segregation, racism, and intimidation, ripples of hope pour down like rain on the world. These ripples can build into waves that sweep down the mightiest walls of resistance. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up and fought against racism and segregation. He was burnt by the fire Christ set on the world. He died a martyr's death, and we reaped the benefits of his resistance. Our loyalty to Christ's teaching will rock the boat, causing divisions. But the Church must not allow the media, political powers, and popular voices to drown the teaching of Christ even if it is unacceptable. The Church must hold on to her moral authority of being both mother and teacher.
5. Christ’s division is “the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil.” (Jn. 3:19). As light carriers, we must set the world ablaze with love. Even if our collective efforts for good should cause us to be dropped into the muddy cistern of opposition like Jeremiah, we should rest assured that a Cushite will come to deliver us from the pangs of death and abandonment (Jer. 38:10). We must fight on keeping our eyes fixed on the prize of the joy that lies ahead. Why? Because we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1-2). Let us take consolation from these heroes and heroines of our faith. Let us ask them to intercede for us so we may have the courage to speak truth to power and alleviate some of the world’s sufferings. May we not be afraid to answer the call to follow Christ. Though the cost of discipleship may be enormous, our joy will be guaranteed. Christ has assured us this much: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33). Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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