Today's readings present us with two profound
challenges: embracing the hidden wisdom of the cross and counting the cost of
following Christ. These passages illuminate a central truth of Christian
discipleship: true wisdom is found in the cross, and following it comes at a
price. They call us to transcend worldly thinking and place our trust in God’s
plan, even when it seems foolish by human standards. As we reflect on these
powerful messages, let us ask ourselves: are we prepared to accept the wisdom of
the cross and follow Christ wherever He leads, no matter the cost?
Paul,
writing to the Corinthians, declares that his message wasn’t delivered with
eloquence or worldly wisdom. He didn’t rely on persuasive rhetoric or human
intellect. Instead, he approached them “in weakness, with great fear and
trembling,” focusing solely on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
This was not a strategy for humility but a profound acknowledgment of human
inadequacy in comprehending divine truth. The cross, an emblem of shame and
defeat in the eyes of the world, is paradoxically the heart of God’s power and
wisdom. Paul underscores that true understanding of God comes not from
human reasoning but through the Holy Spirit's revelation. The “wisdom of God”
is a hidden mystery, prepared for our glory before time began. It is a wisdom
that the “rulers of this age” , the powerful, the learned, and the influential,
failed to grasp, as evidenced by their crucifixion of the Lord of glory. This
wisdom, transcending human comprehension, is accessible only through the
Spirit, who searches the deep things of God.
In
Luke 14:25-33, Jesus confronts the large crowds following Him with a stark
reality: discipleship is not a casual or superficial decision. It
demands an unwavering commitment and a reordering of priorities. He uses
striking language: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even their own life, such a
person cannot be my disciple.” This is not a literal call to hatred but a
hyperbolic expression emphasizing the primacy of our relationship with Christ.
No earthly tie, not even the closest familial bonds or self-preservation, can
supersede our commitment to Him.
Jesus
reinforces this message with two parables: the builder of a tower and the king
preparing for war. The builder who fails to estimate the cost risks public
humiliation when the project remains unfinished. Likewise, the king who wages
war without evaluating his army's strength faces certain defeat. These
illustrations drive home the point that following Jesus requires thoughtful
consideration and a readiness to pay the price. Discipleship demands surrender,
of our desires, ambitions, and even our lives.
The
connection between these passages becomes evident: the wisdom of the cross that
Paul describes is the very foundation of the radical commitment Jesus calls for
in Luke. To understand the crucified Christ and grasp the depth of His love and
sacrifice, we must undergo a transformation of heart and mind. We must renounce
the world’s wisdom and embrace God’s, which often appears foolish to those who
do not comprehend it.
For
Christians today, this call has profound implications:
Embrace
the “foolishness” of the cross: The
world often prizes power, success, and self-promotion. As a result of this
world view, the message of the cross, humility, sacrifice, and service, may
seem irrelevant or weak. Yet, it is precisely in this “foolishness” that God’s
true power and life are revealed.
Prioritize
Christ above all else: In a world of
endless distractions and competing loyalties, we are challenged to re-evaluate
our priorities continually. Are we willing to put Christ first, even at the
cost of personal comfort, desires, or relationships?
Depend
on the Spirit’s power: Living out
radical discipleship is impossible by human strength alone. We need the Holy
Spirit to reveal God’s wisdom to us and empower us to embody it in our daily
lives.
Count
the cost: True discipleship is demanding. It
requires sacrifice, commitment, and perseverance. Are we prepared to face the
challenges and embrace the trials that come with following Christ?
These passages urge us to examine the
foundation of our faith. Are we genuinely embracing the wisdom of the cross, or
are we clinging to the fleeting wisdom of the world? Are we prepared to count
the cost and follow Christ wholeheartedly, or are we holding back? True
surrender to Jesus opens our hearts to the depth of his teaching, allowing us
to understand his words: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”
(John 8:36). By God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be
strengthened to live out the radical and transformative call to discipleship in
today’s world.
These themes resonate profoundly with the life and teachings of
St. John of the Cross, whose feast we celebrate today. St. John, known as the ‘Mystical
Doctor,’ understood the wisdom of the cross in a uniquely profound way. Through
his writings, especially The Dark Night of the Soul and The Ascent
of Mount Carmel, he reminds us that the path to union with God often leads
through suffering, detachment, and self-denial. Like St. Paul and the Lord
Himself, St. John invites us to embrace the mystery of God’s wisdom, a wisdom
that may appear as darkness to the world but is, in fact, the radiant light of
divine love.
As we reflect on these powerful readings in the light of St.
John of the Cross, let us ask for his intercession, that we might have the
courage to embrace the wisdom of the cross and the grace to follow Christ, no
matter the cost.
Let Us Pray:
Loving Father,
You have revealed the hidden wisdom of Your love through the mystery of the
cross,
a wisdom the worldly minded cannot understand,
but which transforms hearts and brings life to those who trust in You.
We thank You for the gift of
Your Son, Jesus Christ,
who showed us the path of true discipleship,
calling us to surrender our lives to You
and to embrace the radical demands of following Him.
Through the intercession of St.
John of the Cross,
teach us to walk the path of detachment and trust,
to let go of the fleeting comforts of this world,
and to find our peace and joy in You alone.
Holy Spirit, search the depths
of our hearts,
and reveal to us the wisdom that comes from God.
Help us to live not by the standards of this world,
but by the power of the cross and the light of Your truth.
Grant us the courage to count
the cost of discipleship,
to prioritize Christ above all else,
and to embrace the “foolishness” of the Gospel
in a world that often rejects it.
Lord, may we, like St. John of
the Cross,
walk through the dark nights of life with unwavering faith,
trusting that Your love is leading us to perfect union with You.
We offer You our lives, our
desires, and our plans.
Transform us by Your grace,
so that we may witness to the wisdom of the cross
and glorify Your name in all that we do.
We ask this through Jesus
Christ,
Your Son and our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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