Proper 18 :: Deuteronomy 30:15 – 20 / Psalm 1 / Philemon 1 – 21 / Luke 14:25 – 33
This
is the homily given at St. John’s, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania by Fr.
Gene Tucker on Sunday, September 4, 2022.
“PLAN AHEAD”
(Homily text: Luke 14:25 – 33)
Most
of us, perhaps, have had the experience of getting a new car or truck (or, at
least, one that is new to us). And, for most of us, getting that new means of
transportation is a major event in our lives.
It’s
exciting to get such a new acquisition. But even as we enjoy the newness of
that new vehicle, and its shiny appearance, new features, and so forth, two
realities are already present with that new possession, things that we must
plan for as time goes along.
Those
two realities are: 1. Before going on a long trip, we would do well to check
the vehicle over carefully to be sure that things that might go wrong along the
way are prevented; and 2. As time goes along, and as the vehicle accrues more and
more mileage, it will require more and more expense as repairs will have to be
made.
In
today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus issues stark warnings about the need to take a
long view of the cost of becoming one of His disciples. In essence, what He is
saying is that we must plan ahead.
Our
Lord’s warning comes just as this new movement, led by a man of humble
beginnings, was beginning to attract more and more people and more and more
followers. Jesus, this man of humble beginnings, was becoming known as a leader
of people, one who genuinely cares for people (unlike the leadership of the
people in that day and time). His teaching was like one with authority. He healed
people, and deliberately sought out those who lived on the margins of society
(also unlike the leaders of the people)
This
new movement was attractive. Its appeal was much like gaining a new vehicle. It
was shiny. Its appearance was a welcome change from the attitudes and the ways
of much of society. Its features seemed to offer so many things that people had
longed to enjoy for such a long time: freedom, someone to care genuinely for
their welfare, someone to challenge the deceitful ways of those in power, the
chief priests, the Pharisees and the Scribes.
But
Jesus challenged those who’ve come to possess this new, exciting movement,
telling them that they’d better plan ahead, to calculate just how costly taking
possession of this new and wonderful thing will be.
The
blunt truth, for those who came to be followers of Jesus back in the time of
His earthly ministry, and for us today, is that becoming a disciple of the Lord
will require changes. We cannot, if our conversion to the ways of Christ is
genuine, escape the need to change, and the cost that making such changes will
require. It’s best that we see this reality clearly and plan accordingly.
AMEN.
