Wednesday – 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke14:25-33

What’s Your Plan!

Ruins of Caesarea Maritima                                                                        

I consider myself an expert at pretty much nothing at all.  Packing for a trip definitely falls into that category.  I will just pile things into the suitcase and hope the bag stays closed. So it is rather refreshing to see experts at work!  And I have certainly seen my share of experts over the last few months.

 

Packing up 40 years of possessions at our Chicago house was not something I was looking forward to.  But the movers were so focused, so locked into their specific roles that it was amazing to watch them work.  The simple act of taking each item, wrapping it in heavy duty paper and then carefully placing it into a box was amazing.  And then loading up the dozens of boxes into the truck became a live-action game of Tetris!  I was convinced the truck was way too small for the job!  So wrong!

It just goes to show you!  You gotta know what you’re doing!  You gotta have a plan!

There are no rosy words or comforting remarks in today’s Gospel.  Jesus makes it very clear – being Christian, being a disciple demands effort and sacrifice.  This is not a hobby or some weekend pastime. It is not something that just happens by accident. It takes time, planning, preparation, and work.  And it means setting aside some things so that we can focus on what is most important – being a lifelong faithful disciple!  It means setting priorities, turning your back on some things in order to focus on the most important!

So prepare! Make a plan and stick to it!  Prepare to build your tower of faith, knowing that you will have to turn your back on other projects and interests.  And be prepared to battle against the forces of darkness and greed and selfishness, to suffer for the sake of eternal life

Great Spirit, teach me today to walk in prayer and to keep my faith strong!

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