23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (08.09.13)

Counting the cost and paying the price.

You can measure a person’s commitment to a cause by what he or she is prepared to pay for it.  We cannot hope to be genuine followers of Christ without making sacrifices and paying the price.

When people believe in something and want it very much, they are generally not afraid to pay the price.  Life is full of examples: climbers, joggers, athletes, football fans … their name is legion.. those who count the cost and pay it down to the very last penny.  The tragedy, however, is that often the goals people set themselves, and the projects into which they pour so much energy and sacrifice, are frequently not really worth the cost.

Christ tells us that there is a price to be paid by all those who wish to follow Him, and a high price at that.  Following Him is a serious business, and not to be undertaken lightly.  Philip Toynbee wrote: “Those who are trying to live Christian lives today are faced not with martyrdom, not even with hostility, nor with contempt.  Rather they have to endure the deadly indifference of their fellow countrymen, lightened only by occasional bursts of amused curiosity.” 

Discipleship means a new and all-consuming loyalty.  It means following in the broad shadow of a Master who makes His way of love with a cross on His back.  Nobody can do that casually.

In the Gospel, Matthew offers some straightforward advice when addressing issues and problems which arise in any organised community. Note, scripture says the offended party, not the offending one, should first seek reconciliation!

Just as conflict is sure to happen in a community of sinners, so confrontation can sometimes be the only language of love!  If love faces the real, it cannot avoid facing conflict.  Love is the only thing that cannot hurt your neighbour.

The goal Christ sets us is that of an authentic way of life, with one’s eyes set on the eternal life to come.  Such a life, while not an easy one, has its earthly rewards.  By striving to live as an authentic Christian, we achieve an integrated and liberated personality, as well as an undreamed-of happiness and inner peace.  However, Christ knows our frailty, and is ever-ready with His grace and His forgiveness.  We have only to come to Him in all our need.

May our fervent prayer be that we may see Him more clearly, follow Him more nearly and love Him more dearly day by day.