23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Wisdom 9:13-19; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33)
The second reading and today’s Gospel challenge us to be
better Christians by calling into question our commitment to the Lord Jesus. In
this way they echo one of the most prophetic works of the twentieth century, The
Cost of Discipleship, written by the German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Just before World War II Bonhoeffer warned
the German people that being a Christian means opposing injustice such as was
occurring in Hitler’s regime. He said that one cannot simply declare oneself a
believer, say a few prayers, and expect eternal life. He called such an
approach to faith “cheap grace.” Today we might say “Christianity light,” which
cannot save. With this perspective, let us interpret the Gospel and apply it to
Paul’s Letter to Philemon.
Many people were following Jesus because of the healings he
had performed. As he noticed the crowds growing with each mile he walked, Jesus
turned to confront them with the challenge of discipleship. He said that in
order to be his disciples, they had to love him and “hate” everyone else. This
is the literal translation of the Aramaic Jesus spoke. In reality, he does not
want us to hate anyone. Rather, he wants us always to give him priority -- to
do his will, not our own nor anyone else’s. Even when it costs us dearly, we are
to conform our ways to his, who is the perfect image of God the Father.
To show that everyone must submit to him if they are to
accompany him to salvation, Jesus gives two examples. The first is for the
poor. A small farmer must determine if he has the resources to build a tower
before beginning the project. In the same way, any man or woman must discern
whether they have the courage to commit themselves fully to Jesus. If they do
not, it would be better for them to turn away. The rich, too, cannot avoid the
costly decision of following Jesus. A king must determine whether he has enough
troops to defeat the enemy army before meeting it in battle. In the same way,
the wealthy person must ask themselves if they are willing to sacrifice their
riches in order to follow Jesus. If not, it would be better for them to walk
away.
We might ask ourselves: what are the particularly great
challenges today? One is the dilemma of a couple who desires a child of their
own but has not been able to conceive. They must resist the temptation of
turning to in vitro fertilization, which dehumanizes marital love. Another challenge
today, especially at universities, is the temptation for students to use
artificial intelligence to do their assignments. Some say it is merely taking
advantage of available resources, but in reality it is just another form of cheating.
In the Gospel, Jesus indicates that everyone has a personal challenge to face
regarding doing his will when he says: “Whoever does not carry his cross and
follow me cannot be my disciple.”
In the second reading, Paul confronts Philemon with a
demanding challenge. He asks him to free his slave Onesimus because of his
faith in Jesus Christ. Onesimus had fled from Philemon’s house and found Paul
who instructed and baptized him. Now Paul wants Philemon not only to accept
Onesimus back, but to welcome him with all the rights of a brother. At stake in
the dilemma that faces Philemon is his acceptance of the transforming grace of
the Gospel. Has Philemon truly accepted the
grace which changes hearts from rancor to peace, from superiority to equality? Paul is implying that if Philemon refuses to
allow his heart to be changed, then he is not truly a disciple of Jesus.
Sooner or later, Philemon’s dilemma will become our own.
Each of us will be challenged in a very personal way to act according to the
will of Christ and not according to our own. For all the promise it carries, may we
act as Christ would have it.
