Reflection on Luke 14:25-33 ~
In the years our children were growing up, society opened up Sunday mornings to play community sports. My wife and I felt that Mass at Church with our children took precedence. Likewise, I could easily do projects early on weekday mornings, but I would have to eliminate my prayer time. On the surface, it would seem that our burdened Crosses would disappear if we spent less time in prayer and selfishly reduced social justice activities. However, it would not be worth it because God’s gift of peace and heart-warming actions of love for the other would be fleeting without our Yes like Mary.
Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea by James Tissot (full resolution painting) and for more detail at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 14:25-33 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
The Cost of Discipleship
25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina Luke 14:25-33 Reflection – Gift of Peace.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this Web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 14 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.