Father Gary’s Sermon

Inspired from Luke 14:25-33

Proclaimed on September 5, 2004

Dr. Charles Garfield tells a pertinent story in his book Peak Performer. It was about a wealthy man with a large ranch in Arizona. On one occasion he invited several of his closest associates for a visit. After their arrival he gave them a tour of his 1500-acre domain. When this was accomplished he brought them to his back yard for drinks. Here several of them noticed his large swimming pool. In the heat of the day this pool looked rather enticing, except that it was filled with alligators. Following the expected inquiry the wealthy man gave his explanation for the alligators. He explained that “courage” was the highest principle for living. It was what made him a billionaire. When courage was evident he believed that it should be well rewarded. The wealthy man then offered the following challenge. Anyone who jumped into the pool and swam to the opposite side could receive anything they wanted up to half of his ranch. The people present only snickered.

As the group then made its way to the ranch they suddenly heard a loud splash from behind. Looking in the direction of the sound they saw some man in the pool swimming for his life. Miraculously he made it to the other side of the pool. At that point the wealthy man offered the man the reward. The man standing on the side of the pool in his soaked clothes had a look of total disbelief on his face. After collecting his wits he stated, “I don’t know anything about a reward, but I sure would like to know who pushed me!”

This story of the challenge of core values is similar to the point made by Jesus in the Gospel story today. The context is that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem one last time. He was followed by a large group of people. Some were going to celebrate the Passover. Others were following Jesus to catch his latest miracle. Some followed to hear his latest teachings that challenged the beliefs of the current religious authorities. Many followed because they expected Jesus to challenge the Romans for the throne of the nation. Like the wealthy man in Dr. Garfield’s story, however, Jesus in today’s story declares his one personal core value: discipleship.

In speaking to discipleship, Jesus underscored its importance by stating that we are to hate anything else that might compete with following him. He gave the supreme example of the family. This was radical! In that culture one’s family was their whole existence. It was the foundation of one’s education, socialization, employment and economics, as well as one’s religion. We know that Jesus practiced what he preached. When his family questioned his ministry, Jesus denied that they were his family. In essence, they were not the basis of his existence. God’s Kingdom held that place. Did this mean that he literally hated them? Of course not. Even as Jesus hung on the cross he made sure that his mother would be cared for in his absence. Rather his use of hate was a matter of setting priorities. To have priorities is to put everything in its proper place. By doing this our relationship with God can be re-established. Our spirits can be enlivened. We can again walk with God even as our ancestors Adam and Eve had done in the Garden of Eden.

This past week I could very identify with the man who had been shoved into the pool. Last Saturday I had a stroke. It left half of my body numb. I found myself walking and moving like Quazimoto. After the initial shock of the experience had sunk in, I then became concerned about the parish and my job. I wondered if I continue to be a priest. Like the man shoved unexpectedly into the pool, I was scared.

Fortunately, soon after having the stroke I was surrounded by my wife and concerned friends. Their support was extremely important. They helped provide me with much needed reality checks.

However, after they left me and I was alone in the hospital, I began to ponder what it was that I would want from God. Healing? Of course! But then the lessons of the previous Sundays came to mind. The question that began to prevail was, “Why was I following Christ?” Was it for what I could get from him? Or, was it for what I could give to the Kingdom?

I then prayed like I had not prayed before. I asked the Lord what it was that he wanted? What could render him the best service: my healing or being physically handicapped? I decided that my ultimate desire was to walk with the Lord whether this meant physical healing or not. To have the Lord’s Spirit within was my highest priority.

Following this prayer I sensed an abiding peace and assurance. I had chose discipline or discipleship. In making this choice, however, please note that I still have my wife and friends. Indeed, I few times in the past have I received such an outpouring of love and support. Now I can say that had I not had my showdown with the Lord, perhaps I couldn’t have appreciated what my wife and friends had given me. Therefore, I did not lose anything in setting my priorities. Rather, everything has just found its proper place. That is from where the peace comes, along with the ability to accept and appreciate the rest.