a calculated risk?
“If one of you decides to build a tower, will he not first sit down and calculate the outlay to see if he has enough money to complete the project?” —Luke 14:28
Jesus commands us to “first sit down and calculate the outlay.” To be a Christian is easy and light insofar as the Lord will give us the grace to do His will (see Mt 11:30). Nevertheless, the Christian life is a yoke and a burden (Mt 11:30). We must give everything in order to live it (see Mt 13:44, 46).
Are you willing to give everything to Jesus? Will you turn your back on everyone, including your ego, to be Jesus’ disciple? (Lk 14:26) Will you die to self, suffer, and take up the cross each day to be a disciple of the crucified and risen Lord? (see Lk 14:27) Will you renounce all your possessions and use them only as Master Jesus directs you as His disciple? (Lk 14:33)
Many Christians have never sat down and calculated the demands of the Christian life. Therefore, they have never decided to meet those demands. Their lives are half-built towers and failed wars (see Lk 14:29-31). The Lord does not want us to dabble in the Christian life. He wants us hot or even cold, but not lukewarm (Rv 3:16). Therefore, “first sit down and calculate the outlay.” Because of Jesus’ crucified, perfect love for you, choose to be a Christian on Jesus’ terms. Love Jesus “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Lk 10:27).
Prayer: Father, may zeal for Your house consume me (Jn 2:17; Ps 69:10).
Promise: “Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” —Rm 13:8
Praise: St. Martin de Porres’ life was a result of the Spanish colonization of South America. His father was Spanish and his mother was a native of Panama. He is the patron of race relations. He was gifted with wisdom, miracles and especially love.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.