“Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them”

People from all walks of life and careers, I imagine, were among the great crowds that followed Jesus. He healed their sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead to life and fed the hungry.

This was enough to draw crowds of followers. Jesus turned and spoke to them in very harsh language, outlining the cost of discipleship. Many may have been surprised to learn there was a cost. To be a disciple of Jesus requires learning a new way of life. It is about committing to Jesus and his values. 

Discipleship is not about following the leader blindly but rather being actively involved in carving one’s own path and shaping one’s own identity. It requires hard work and commitment.

There is a sign that is seen in most gyms that reads, “No pain no gain”. As harsh as that may seem it is absolutely true: there is a price for every success.

A good leader brings out the best in his followers and helps them to realise their full potential. This was Jesus’ aim, his vision for everyone to be the best.

The passage reminds me of young adults coming of age and having to pursue their own dreams and new paths in life. I think of those who leave the comfort of home and family to pursue further education, to begin new careers or get married.

They commit themselves to hard work and plan every course of action to succeed in their endeavours. They “take up their cross” and set out in search of their destiny unsure of what lies ahead but aware that along the way they have to “give up all their possessions” to arrive at their destination.

They are aware that only as life unfolds can they begin to assess the full cost. This indeed is a fact of life and Jesus warns at the outset that price will be high.

Today’s Gospel also alerts us to the importance of careful and effective planning and the commitment that is necessary for discipleship. As I sat in church on Sunday morning I was reminded that we too are like the great crowds that followed Jesus, among us are persons from all walks of life, careers and vocations and included among us are the lame, the sick, and the marginalised.

We all do our part however great or small, seen or unseen, to make our space a better place, even if it’s a kind word or gesture or transformation of a neighbourhood or self.

Whatever it is, it involves deliberate sacrifice and exposure to risk and ridicule but we feel comforted when we recognise that Jesus is alive in our world today through the work of people like Fr Gerry Pantin in Servol or Judith Berkley and her work at Rainbow Rescue, a shelter for homeless children, or Sr Roberta O’Flaherty and her contribution to street children at the Credo foundation and Clive Pantin for his efforts in the Foundation for the Enrichment and Enhancement of Life (FEEL).

All these projects transform lives and create miracles for poor people. The success stories of these projects often reveal the many “crosses” that are borne.

When we live out our vocations or our life observing the values of Jesus of love, justice, peace and kindness we are Jesus’ disciples. The same is true when students are committed to their studies, parents are committed to parenting and NGOs are committed to providing a better life for others.

Lord, we thank you for those parents and teachers who had the courage to turn around to their children who walked behind them and speak words which at first seemed harsh.

In fact, by so doing they encouraged and empowered them to step out in confidence into the unknown and create for themselves their own identity.

Lord, as the new school year begins many of our youth will be starting new jobs, entering universities, starting or continuing secondary education. Teach them the importance of planning and being committed to their studies.

Lord, forgive us for the times when we failed to plan effectively and as a result were unable to complete the task we had started.

Lord, as our nation celebrates its forty-fifth year of independence send us leaders like Jesus who as they walk ahead of us will not be afraid to turn and challenge us to be the great people you want us to become.

Gospel Meditations for September are by Bernadette Salandy, a former primary school teacher and member of the Movement for a Better World, Ms Salandy is now on the staff of the Metropolitan Tribunal.