Like a king making ready for battle or a contractor about to build a tower, our Lord Jesus instructs us with these examples to pursue Him deliberately and thoughtfully (Luke 14:28-33).
Genuine discipleship never is haphazard or whimsical.
Taking the call of Christ to heart and sincerely seeking to follow Him entails real sacrifice. Jesus must be first and foremost always and everywhere in our lives, not one among others – however precious and important such others may be. Our Lord is not wanting to discourage us, but rather to embolden us by means of our allowing of divine grace to be received and so to separate us from those immersed in the disappointment and destruction of the pursuance of wealth, power, pleasure and honor.
Christ’s call to discipleship – to follow Him – demands a response on our part that is as obedient as it is cheerful. Employing hyperbole common in ancient Semitic language, Jesus tells us we are to “hate” our old lives (Luke 14:26). That is, we are to renounce reliance upon all earthly things however precious and important, so to choose Him above every person and possession.
Discipleship is about placing Christ Jesus first and keeping Him first in daily living.
Intentional disciples avoid excuse making, steadfastly and rightly ordering all that they have with God anchored securely as the center of their lives. Stated differently, genuine disciples truly proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior and Messiah with their whole lives.
Authentic communities of Catholic faith passionately labor to do the same.
