“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
Luke 14:27
cannot be my disciple.”
Reflection
Jesus addresses the people traveling with him, saying that if anyone comes to him who does not hate his family or even his own life, they cannot be his disciple. If a person does not take up his own cross and follow him, they cannot be his disciple. For what person who wishes to construct a tower does not first calculate the cost before building? In the same way, if they do not renounce their possessions, they cannot be his disciples.
Jesus’ perhaps harsh words are meant to realign our thinking and put us in the true position of giving up this worldly life and following Christ. If we are too attached to family or our own comfortable life, we cannot successfully be disciples of Christ. Being a disciple requires sacrifice, detachment from the world, and the willingness to do these things.
Many people are loathe to give up the easiness and comfort of their lives. When Jesus asks us to do this, we can easily say no, because humans like comfort and don’t like change. Yet Christ does ask us to change in a radical way, to live a life that is centered on him and full of sacrificial love – will you be a true disciple?
Saint of the Day
St. Charles Borromeo: 1538 – 1584
| “When [Jesus] himself personally descended from heaven to earth, made man, he did not disdain to be subject to human infirmities, but went even further. He gave himself to us while living as a companion and dying as our price.” St. Charles Borromeo |
