Earlier this week, after reading the gospel for the weekend, there was a part of me that instinctively turned to the other readings for a hint about the homily.  The language of the gospel is extreme: hating one’s family members, carrying our cross or we can’t be disciples. “anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Sure, I can explain the underlying Greek meaning and all the rest. And yes, I recognize the language of hyperbole to make a point… still…

And then there is all the “doing” language. The Church teaches we are saved by grace alone, yet there is an awful lot of “doing” language in Scripture and it must mean something. This past week I came across something that gave me some initial insight in the language of “doing.”  The insight came from a course on CD by my Franciscan brother, Fr. Ken Himes, OFM, on Moral Theology. Fr. Ken offers that we are people who basically go through our lives using one of three paradigms: we are people who (1) follow Law and rules, or (2) focus on goals and objectives with law and rules as guides, or (3) are relationship centered. And of course in real life we mix all three together.  It all got me to thinking.

Each of these reflect more than “doing” in the world. At a deeper level they reflect a way of being, a way of living, a way of doing things differently because of living “in Christ” as St. Paul would say.  It reflects the character of our Christian lives. That is worth repeating: it reflects the character of our Christian life.  And I suspect our operative paradigm shapes the way in which we consider sacrifice, discipleship, renunciation of possessions for the sake of the kingdom, and “putting Christ first.”

If I were to stand here and preach on the idea of sacrifice, sacrificial giving, or other similar ideas, I wonder what would be heard and interpreted. Would it be heard via law/rules – “oh, he’s talking about 10% tithing.”  Maybe via goals and objectives, “He’s getting ready to talk about the vision for our parish and lay the groundwork for increased volunteering in the parish.”  Perhaps, it would be heard in terms of one’s relationship to Christ – as way to put Christ first.  How do you hear “sacrifice?”

We are not a people unfamiliar with sacrifice. I know folks who put in long hours in careers and jobs that are no longer exciting or fun in order to secure their futures or just to make ends meet. I know parents who give up nearly every weekend for their kids’ travelling sports team, art competitions, and more. Lots of people sacrifice time and money to join a gym or participate in diet programs to get healthier. Families sacrifice for the cost of education and extracurricular activities at school. The students sacrifice extra time and energy for studies, sports, clubs, and more.  I doubt there is a shortage of “sacrifice” in our lives.  But why?  It is the rules?  It is with a goal in mind?  It is because of love of others?

So, if I preach about sacrifice… which I guess I already am…. What do you hear?  A modern version of today’s gospel might ask, “What parent wouldn’t count the cost of time and money before signing up for the traveling soccer team?” And “what new employee wouldn’t consider whether she is willing to work every weekend her first year?” Now the language is a little more accessible.  Recognizes that as people we already “count the cost” and “carry the extra load” – and make choices and sacrifices

Why do we make these choices, these sacrifices and not others? In short, I would offer that we sacrifice according to our priorities while operating out of the character of our Christian lives.

In our gospel today Jesus is saying that Christian discipleship calls for the same. Actually I would suggest Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God that he proclaims and the kingdom-focused life he models should be a priority, actually be the priority when it comes to importance, choice, and sacrifice.

But here’s the thing: when it comes to faith and church, where is it importance in your life?  Is it reflected in the character of the way we make choices? Because of the rules, or the goals, or because of the relationship of “putting Christ first.” Is our faith and being a community of faith as important as youth soccer? Is participating in the life of the parish even on the radar scope in the same way as your job or career?  In part, the answers we give shed light on our relationship with God. It reveals something about the confidence we have in God’s love for us and all the world. It exposes the way we think about the assurance that whatever may happen or wherever we may go, God is with us. Do we model that within the context of your life – with family, friends, and at work?

Looking at the arc of your life, does your faith get time and energy outside of Sunday morning?  Do you sacrifice for your faith? Sacrifice, from the phrase in Latin, sacra fice, to make holy?

Is becoming holy a project in your life?  One of the most common things I hear is “Father, I confess I have not put Christ first my life.” To which I respond, “OK, if you truly put Christ first in your life…. What would it look like?  What would you be doing? What would you become?”

This is where I hear the grand silence. And rightly so. It is one of the big questions of life. And lest you think that somehow a Franciscan priest is exempt, like you, I should come face-to-face with the question is sacra fice, becoming holy, a project in my life?

The context of our lives will in part shape our answer to the question. The character of our life of faith will in part shape the answer. The grace of God will shape the answer.  But we have to ask the question. Is becoming holy a project in our life?  I pray that it is.   Amen