The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are very strong words. It is frightening to think that our faith in God and our following of God’s will could put us in danger. However, this is what the Lord is telling us.
There will be moments in life when following God’s will could cost us: friendships, jobs, opportunities, you name it, it could cost. The question you can ask yourself in moments when it costs is, “Is it worth it? Is it worth the cost?” Jesus answers this question when his disciples ask in Matthew: “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt.19:29)
Not Counting the Cost
While it is attractive to think that in this world, whatever you give to God will be returned to you a hundred-fold, the greater gift God is speaking of is inheriting eternal life. The question, “Is it worth it?” for me is answered with a hard yes. Definitely it is costly to give up the people and the things we love, the things we need or think we need, simple, comforts, etc., but the return is greater than the cost.
This is easy to say when circumstances do not imply the cost. It is quite another thing when circumstances change. We need to pray that God gives us the grace to persevere in trials and difficulties, so that we may say yes to his will in the easy times as well as the tough times. To trust in God’s Providence, trusting that he will help us and give us exactly what we need in every moment requires a lot of faith and action. We must act on our faith and trust. We must act on grace even in moments when we may not feel that it is there. The moment we act on God’s grace is the moment his grace is activated.
