Jesus is not like a politician who fills people with a lot of promises. He is not an influencer of social media (tiktok, facebook or Instagram). On the contrary, his invitation is clear. He doesn’t promise fake things. He doesn't lie anyone, nor tell a short-cut happiness. In fact, in today’s gospel, he teaches us about the conditions to become his disciples. It is not easy, but possible. 

First, to prefer him more than our loved ones : parents, spouse, siblings, and even our own lives. He is not asking us to hate our parents. Otherwise, the fourth commandment may be wrong. We should love our families, but Jesus must be the number one in our lives. We know several saints who dedicated their lives to love God through their availability to serve others. For example, Mary our mother, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Lorenzo Ruiz with his companions, Carlo Acutis who is going to be canonized today by Pope Leo. A young boy who loved God through the poor and the Blessed Sacrament, using his computer skills to help his family to experience the goodness of God. 

The question is: are we ready to abandon our securities to follow Jesus more closely? Are we ready to become the true followers of Jesus? In today’s gospel Jesus tells us the parable of a man who first takes time to think before starting to build his tower. Then, if we are not ready, it is better not to start the journey. But what is the meaning of that tower? And who is its builder?

My dear sisters and brothers, God comes to help the human weakness, because by ourselves, we cannot do or build anything. For instance, you decide to pray every day in the morning. You cannot rely on your own desire.You need to be open to the Spirit of God in order to be faithful in doing it everyday.

Like the crowds of Jerusalem, we show our enthusiasm to follow him. We say: I will follow you, Jesus. I love you. I trust in You. But when the trials come, we leave him easily. Or when our co-worker mistreats us, we become deeply upset and suffer emotionally. 

That is why we need always to ask for the gift of Wisdom, so that we discern unceasingly what to do. The Book of wisdom reminds us that our intelligence cannot know Lord’s intends, spiritual realities (Sg 9). Jesus himself is the Way, truth and life (John 14: 6). He showed us how to love: by dying on the cross.We cannot pretend to love without sacrifice. There is no Resurrection without Passion 

In this first reading, we are taught about how to pray to get wisdom. It is the prayer of the king Solomon, son of David, who had asked wisdom to God (Book of Wisdom 9:13-18; First book of Kings 3: 5). He was confused and God told him: ask me whatever you want, I will give you. And he said: God, give me your Wisdom. This should be our prayer at all times. Because we need it to discern God’s Will. We are blind, weak without wisdom. That is why it is easy for us to get lost when we harden our hearts or following our egoism. 

Carrying our cross through love means to live without reserve our christian life until our own sacrifice. The discipleship is a way to follow the Master, Jesus. The Letter to the Hebrews describes our lives like a total offering that glorifies the Lord and opens the gate of life. If I love my brothers that I can give my life for them, if I fight for truth and justice, if I fight against corruption and impunity without fear of those who kill others, I glorify the Lord. That is why in the second reading, Paul from his prison invites Philemon to consider Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a brother, saved by the Lord. And my life becomes a perfume in front of The Lord.  

Carry our cross is a spiritual journey with physical deeds. Imagine the situation of some parents, especially fathers who left their families and went far from home in order to look for a better life for their families. Their absence is not abandonment, but an act of love. Their work and their tears are also a gift they offer to their families. They suffer in silence, carrying their crosses. This should provoke gratitude for having people who work hard in order to assume their responsibilities. And it should be a challenge for children and wives to be strong, to study hard, to live responsibly and take care of others. In faith, we should trust that God sees everyone’s efforts and will bless beyond our expectations.

To become an authentic disciple of the Lord, we need to discern well and to be responsible with our decision.Because you can pay it by the way you live your lives. Think very well of your vows because it is not a joke. Our Church is experiencing humiliation. With hope, we can do it. Because Jesus loves us. Let us trust in God’s presence so that even if we face humiliation, betrayal, sorrow or happiness, we remain faithful to his call now and for ever. Amen.

1. What personal securities or attachments might I be holding onto that prevent me from fully following Jesus, and how can I surrender them to Him?
2. How can I carry my daily cross with love and wisdom, turning my sacrifices into a true offering that glorifies God?