The cross of love is the cost of following Jesus

“If someone does not bear his or her own cross, and comes to me. S/he cannot be my disciple”. In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to consider the high price we pay to become his disciples. If we were building a tower, he says, before we start we should analyze our finances, so we will have enough money to finish the tower.
We should do our research in regards the cost of the project, Jesus says. We should work on it in advance. You shouldn’t start the project if you cannot finish it.
Jesus does not refer to architecture. He was describing discipleship. He warned his disciples about the high cost to follow him. He spoke about our crosses. As his followers we will endure tests walking the path to follow him. It is a narrow path. As his disciples we are exposed to a life of sacrifices.
Today, let’s think about our lives, for example. Our children here in St. Andrew’s are getting ready for their first day of school. After church, families will get ready to start the prep work for back to school tomorrow. We are surprised by the threats of Hurricane Hermine. Many of us did not experience this kind of warnings back in our countries of origin. In many cases the weather reports were not accurate; and, other cases simply because we did not have the kind of climate exposed to tropical storms. 
Upon my arrival to St. Andrew’s, I have noticed all the prep work for the after school program. I looked up one of the articles from the Diocesan newspaper that caught my attention. It was one of the successful stories of the program. I should describe it as a story of hope. Right away, I connect it with the gospel message today. The high price to follow Jesus is intertwined with the message of hope that someday we would be saved by him.
I was reminded of story from Teresa of Avila. She was on her way to one of her convents in a mule. The mule stumbled and threw the saint to the ground. She injured her leg. She exclaimed: “Oh Lord! You couldn’t find the worst moment for this event to happen. Why did you let this happen to me? Her prayer was answered, as follows: “This is how I treat my friends”. Teresa’s replied: “Ah! Dear Lord, I get it. This is the reason why you have few friends.” 
As followers of Jesus, we would be thrown to the ground many times but the reward is our salvation. That’s why Teresa was a faithful follower of Jesus and she can be counted as one of his few friends.
If you notice the amount of churches that surrounds us. Drive and walk around, you will find one church in every block. Our neighboring church is a Seven Day Adventist. If you notice, many churches offer a fake message of prosperity. As real disciples of Christ, we are called to please Jesus and use our discernment to recognize his real message of sacrifice. He is the only King of Kings. We are not called to please the kings of the world, and the kings that offer an easy pass to follow him. In this gospel is clear how Jesus is preparing us to confront the obstacles our spirits will endure when we decide to follow him.
 Jesus asks from us to strengthen our relationship with him instead of the fake relationships we find in the world. How many times we have sacrificed coming to church because we had a family event at the same time of the Service?
 Jesus taught us through his sacrifice we learn about our own sacrifice and spiritual transformation at the same time. Jesus asks us to renounce our superficial thoughts and attachments. We are asked to be intentional to work on our relationship with him and our own transformation through that process.
 Jesus knows that it won’t be easy for us to distant ourselves from temptation, but he promises us that in him we can overcome it. Jesus shows us with his own example how could we give more importance to his glory, and despise fame and attachments to the world.
How many times we have offered our time, talents and treasure pursuing our solely our salvation? Jesus’ disciple understands this; therefore, sharing the good news is his or her priority. This kind of disciple will work unceasingly to bring the message of the good news to the world. Paul’s advice pointed out to do it in good times and bad times.
Jesus’ disciple builds his or her character based on sharing the good news without expecting anything from the world in exchange. As disciples of Christ, we are called to be on alert and with our best disposition 24/7.  This invitation calls us to be intentional with decisions that lead us to Jesus.
To become a real disciple of Jesus, a disciple with awareness of our relationship with Christ as his or her follower, we are called to show up for him. Jesus’ example is our thermometer to became example for others. As disciples of Jesus we are not leaving our loved us behind; on the contrary, we are called to show them who is the real center of our lives and invite them to follow him.
How do we feed our discipleship often? How do we accept the challenge? We should remain in constant connection with Jesus through prayer, actively participating in Holy Eucharist, becoming part of a prayer group, bibles studies, serving others, tithing, investing in our spiritual lives and inviting others to do it.
My prayer for each one of you has to do with reconnecting with your faith in Christ, looking for ways to strengthening your relationship with Jesus, and praying incessantly to follow him … no turning back… no turning back. (Luke 14:28-33)

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