In our Gospel today, Luke 17: 26-37, Jesus addresses the cost and benefit of discipleship. Jesus is telling us that to follow him will demand a decision. Typically – one of two things are happening to us – either we are “finders” – finding our lives, living for ourselves and the world is changing us, or we are
“losers”- losing our lives by putting God and others first, and we are changing the world.
Where are we on this spectrum, especially in the last few years with all that is going on? Covid19, the economic downturn, all the conflict in the world? Are we looking down, living in the world with all the negative, being influenced by all the people pushing their opinions and agendas?
Or are we looking up to Jesus as our role model in all of this? Are we treating people with love, compassion, and mercy? Do we seek to understand? Do we truly listen to people and take time to get to know their story? Are we taking the time to understand their life experience, which may have been very different than ours?
Today’s gospel should cause us to reflect on our lives- a decision to follow Christ is a decision to try to make the world a better place to live. Are we finders, so busy trying to find our lives in the world, that we are losing our lives and our happiness? Or do we have the courage to be losers?
De Colores, Deacon Kevin
