23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about being a disciple. We know that a disciple is someone who follows Jesus. He gives this parable:
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? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Think about a king who has a big plan to go out and conquer another kingdom. He might have good reasons for doing this. Perhaps his kingdom has already been attacked the other kingdom. Perhaps the other king is bad. Perhaps he treats his people badly. We don't know.
The point is, he reconsiders. He--THE KING--changes his mind. He, the most important guy, doesn't stick to his plan stubbornly. He doesn't hang onto his plan because it is HIS plan, HE thought of it, it belongs to HIM!
I am a planner. I love to plan. I make lists and schedules for myself and for my family. There are so many things I want to do. I don't like to give up on my plans.
Jesus says,
So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
I hadn't thought of my plans as being my possessions.
To be a disciple of Jesus, I have to give up my plans. Instead, I have to accept the Plan of God.
God's plan is bound to be good. I wonder what God has planned for me? I wonder what God has planned for you? How will we know?
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