Costly Discipleship

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Much of the Gospel directs itself to the issue of the cost of discipleship. It has been said by many a writer that this is the overriding theme of "Ordinary" Time. In chapter nineteen of St. Matthew's Gospel, there is no question that this is the evangelist's intent. St. Peter asks the Lord, "What's in it for us?" Perhaps St. Matthew did not word the question so crassly, but that was Peter's question in a nutshell. "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" (Matthew 19:27b) The answer to the question, strangely enough, had already been given in chapter ten from which we read today. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. (Matthew 10:8b)

Even in good times, we tend to put most issues of our lives in economic terms. When times are rough and the economy is suffering, this is even more the case. The fact of the matter is that we want the services that governments have traditionally provided, but we don't want to pay too much for them. One side of the argument asserts that we should purchase only American-made products, but the price tag usually determines for most folks which item they will purchase rather than where it was made. Even our recreational activities, especially in the sports arena, have become governed by economics and getting the most bang for the buck.

Discipleship is costly. Being a disciple means putting the needs of others before our own needs. Being a disciple means living our lives not for ourselves but for someone else. Being a disciple means eschewing the big pay check and looking forward to the "retirement benefits." Being a disciple means taking the time to realize how much we have been given and trying to live our lives in such a way that we can repay at least a part of that debt.