Pentecost 16
Who are you? When we
meet someone for the first time, we generally start by exchanging our names,
maybe what we do for a living or if we are retired, where we live, where we are
from, something about our families.
Basic stuff. But, who are you,
really? Thomas Merton, in his book New Seeds of Contemplation (New
Directions, 1961) talks about the difference between our “false self” and our
“true self.” Our “false self” is made
up of all those external things we think define us and give us our
identity. Those things that we believe make
us who we are. But, those things can be
stripped away from us in a heartbeat by the trials, tribulations, tragedies and
struggles of life in the world. Just
read the book of Job! Our “true self,”
on the other hand, is our life in God.
Frequently, Jesus asks those who follow him to give up
things that seem pretty significant to who and what we are. Here, in this text, he asks the crowds to
“hate” their families, give up all their possessions and even life itself. To those of us with many possessions, and
who place a high value on our families this can seem like an unreasonable
expectation. This does not sound like good news at all. The cost of discipleship seems way too high.
Instead of trusting in possessions and family to give our
lives meaning, value, purpose and hope, Jesus tells the crowds that they need
to “carry the cross.” This echoes
similar advice he gives to his disciples in other contexts. Again, this probably doesn’t sound like good
news either! The cross was a horrific
instrument of torture and death.
Crucifixion was hardly something anyone would aspire to experience. If cross-carrying is required, the cost of
discipleship seems way too high.
So, if the cost is so
high, what is the value of discipleship?
What is the value of this way of life that Jesus invites us to
follow? I think we discover the value of
discipleship in the very cross he invites us to carry. In the cross of Christ, we find evidence of
God’s unfailing and unflinching love for us in the face of the violence, anger,
hatred and injustice we perpetrate against one another. In the cross we discover God’s grace, mercy,
forgiveness and compassion for us and for all people. We see that our relationship with God
transcends and outlasts every human relationship we may enjoy. That’s powerful stuff. It reveals who we truly are.
But, even more, in the cross, all the violence, hatred,
anger and injustice in the world is unmasked as an empty path.
In Christ’s self-giving, we find different path, a path that leads to
life; to real life. A path marked by justice,
reconciliation and peace. A way of life
formed by a love which moves us to embrace all people; especially those who are
being crushed daily by the world. In the
light of the cross, we discover that all our possessions, our families and our
very lives are not our own (and never have been). They are gifts. Gifts to be used for God’s work and God’s
glory.
And that is very good news indeed.
Peace,
Bishop Mike
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