Why Does He Ask So Much?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Gerard Majella Church 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

St. Luke tells us in today’s gospel reading (14:25-33) that “great crowds were traveling with Jesus” when he turned around and said to them: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father, and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he (or she) cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Did I hear Jesus say hate? 

The Jews, which includes Jesus’ disciples were anticipating a great change- that is freedom from the oppressive Roman government, freedom from being subjects to a foreign king, freedom to own their land, have their own king and determine their destiny. The messiah was expected to form a large and powerful army and engage in a military operation with the Romans, conquer them and secure freedom for the Jews. The messiah, which of course is Jesus would be the king and with miraculous powers he would turn the page of slavery, suffering and oppression, and he would make life beautiful again for them. 

Jesus knew the anticipation of his people. But he did not want to deceive them. He always tell the truth, so he told the truth of his mission: no one can follow me unless he or she takes up the cross and follow me. Again, unless one hates father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife and even his or her very life, he or she cannot be my disciple. Shocking, isn’t it? That’s a strong word! Why is Jesus, the great preacher of love, forgiveness, and compassion talking about hate? Must I hate those dearest to me before I can become his disciple? Can’t l love them and love Jesus as well? Is it not possible to follow Jesus and at the same time love my mom, dad, and siblings? 

Of course the great teacher of love is not asking us to hate anyone, let alone our parents, brothers, sisters, spouses. He is not even asking us to hate our life. Life is God’s gift. He is simply asking us to love him more. In the Gospel of Matthew 10:37, he says: “Whoever loves his father or mother, brother or sister, more than me is not worthy of me.” We must love our fathers, but not more than Jesus. We must love our mothers, but not more than Jesus. We must love our brothers, but not more than Jesus. We must love our sisters, but not more than Jesus. We must love our spouses, but not more than Jesus. We must love our friends, neighbors, colleagues, everyone, but not more than Jesus. We must value, cherish and love our lives, but not more than we value, cherish and love Jesus. I believe that everyone of us already understands that. But the big question today is this: Why does he, Jesus asks so much from us? Why does he demand so much from us? He also says in today’s Gospel that “...anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Jesus asks a lot from us; but why does he demand so much from us? 

The answer is simple! He asks a lot because he gave a lot. He asks so much from us because he gave us a lot. In fact, he gave much more to us than we can ever give to him. He asks so much because he gave so much more. All the sacrifices we make for being his disciples are a drop of water in an ocean when compared to the one he offered on our behalf. The good we do for being his disciples is only but a pinch of salt when compared to the good he did for us. Jesus did not only die on the cross for us and afterwards went back to heaven and does not have anything to do with us again. Even in heaven, he is still our advocate before the Father. The sacrifice of his blood is everlasting and eternal. Because of him, we are now called sons and daughters of God. Because of him, we have access to the Father. Because of him, we have victory and continue to have victory over the devil. Because of Jesus, we have hope. It may not be all too well now, but because of him, we know it would at the end of the day work out well. Romans 8:28 tells us that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” 

Again, Jesus asks so much from us because that is the nature of love. Joy comes when two people truly give themselves to one another. None is merely using the other. God has created us for joy, that is eternal joy. And in the gift of his Son, God has given himself fully to us; and he continues to give himself to us especially in the Eucharist. All he asks from us is to give ourselves fully to him so that our joy may be complete.