Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: PHIL 2:12-18; PS 27:1, 4, 13-14; LK 14:25-33
Context Today – United States General Election 11/05/2024
In the United States the general election was held yesterday and as a result in 2025 we will have a new republican President, a new Congress with republican majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Donald Trump won both the electoral vote and popular vote for president. This may be the major political realignment we have been anticipating as voters have made their voices heard across the nation. There is a clarity involved in this election as to the priorities and resources. How this is executed in real time is something we all must wait and see. Let us hope for the good, the true and the beautiful.
The gospel reflection today considers the conditions Jesus describes to be his true disciple. We must consider how we execute the popular mandate in the way Jesus wants us to.
Summary
See http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/11/03/loving-less-loving-more/ for a reflection on Loving Less, Loving More.
Fear and Trembling
We must, all of us, follow the advice of Saint Paul. My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Consolation
For those who need consolation we turn to the psalmist who reassures us of the divine presence and care.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Vindication
For those who claim vindication we turn to the the words of Jesus. Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Discipleship
Discipleship Requirements – Jesus boiled down discipleship into three major categories:
- Love Less. In Greek (miséō) to hate means to “love less, esteem less”. Love less of what is less, love more of what is more.
- Carry Cross. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
- Renounce things. Renounce – take away the controlling power of your possessions. Remember Ahab and Jezebel and Naboth’s vineyard .
In this context to love means ‘to take care of’ as a priority. Jesus is saying loving (‘to take care of’) yourself and family more than taking care of others is not the way of discipleship. Conversely, refusing to carry the cross of compassion (love more) for others is not the way of discipleship. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Reflection
This is a time of fear and trembling. In a sense it is always such a time. Our salvation is something we work through, make manifest, by what we love, what we carry and what we refuse to share.
Personal Reflection
How true these words.
Put no trust in princes, in children of Adam powerless to save. Who breathing his last, returns to the earth; that day all his planning comes to nothing. The LORD protects the resident alien, comes to the aid of the orphan and the widow, but thwarts the way of the wicked.
In all our coming and going we must center our thinking and actions in conformity with the conditions Jesus requires.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110624.cfm
First Reading
My beloved, … work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Responsorial
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel Acclamation (See 1 PT 4:14)
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
Gospel
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry