23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?

Lk 14:25-33

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This section gathers various teachings of Jesus on discipleship centering on renunciation. It is addressed to all the disciples of Jesus, present and future.

v. 26 - "If any one 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.”

What is meant here is: “You have to love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even your own life less than Jesus.” In other words, you have to love Jesus more than all of these things if you want to be his disciple.

We find a similar expression in the OT. “If a man with two wives loves one and dislikes the other…” (Dt 21:15). What is meant here is: “If a man with two wives loves one more than the other….”

Jesus does not minimize the importance of honoring one’s parents. In fact, he mentions the fourth commandment in response to the question about inheriting eternal life (Lk 18:20).

In Mt 10:37, Jesus does not include the spouse in the list of those that a disciple has to love less.

vv. 28 and 31 - Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? […] Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?

Jesus teaches the necessity of reflection before making an important commitment. In this specific case, it is about the decision of following Jesus. This decision involves making the necessary renunciation of family ties and earthly possessions. 


ANOTHER SET OF EXPLANATION

vv. 25-26. Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, “If any one 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.”

From Mobile Gabriel:

The English translation seems somewhat more harsh than the original because English does not normally use such extreme language. The use of extreme terms such as love/hate is part of the manner of expression of the place and time. The point is that total commitment is required of a disciple of Jesus. The totality and completeness of the commitment is stated starkly. Nothing, not spouse, not children, not even life itself is to be placed ahead of our commitment to Jesus.

From Living Space:

The word “hate” is a Semitic expression not to be taken literally. It could not be so taken as the whole of Jesus’ teaching is based on love not only of blood relatives but of strangers and even enemies. It is rather a dramatic way of saying that anyone who puts any person, even those closest to them, before total commitment to Christ and his mission is not ready to be a disciple. There can be no compromise here; it is all or nothing.

We also have to say that Jesus is not recommending a literal abandonment of one’s family. That could be highly irresponsible and a violation of that commandment of universal love. But it is clear that, for those who want to be part of Jesus’ work, they have to give themselves completely and unconditionally. And, where there is a choice between the clear call of the Gospel and personal attachments, they have to let go of the latter.

vv. 28-32. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? 29Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him 30and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ 31Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? 32But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

From Mobile Gabriel:

These two parables focus on the need for proper reflection before making the choice and taking action. Those who wish to follow Jesus must carefully consider the cost of discipleship and then after choosing, they must steadfastly refuse to be deterred by any obstacle or required sacrifice. They must be willing to give up anything and everything to follow Jesus.

v. 33. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

From Mobile Gabriel:

This verse is not a command to give up all your possessions. Rather it requires that one must be willing to renounce all for the sake of the Kingdom.

From Living Space:

To be a disciple of Jesus means being absolutely free. It reminds one of Francis of Assisi leaving his family and taking off all his rich and fancy clothes to replace them with a beggar’s rags and being filled with a tremendous sense of joy and liberation.