23rd Sunday - Ordinary Time - 2007
Buried within the gospel reading of this liturgy is the following phrase: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower ....” It sits between being told that to be a follower of Christ one must turn on parents, sisters and brothers and one’s own family, carrying one’s cross, and marching into battle. All of these are just the kinds of words that most people don’t want to follow much less hear. So what is the significance of this reference to someone building a tower?
Buried within the gospel reading of this liturgy is the following phrase: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower ....” It sits between being told that to be a follower of Christ one must turn on parents, sisters and brothers and one’s own family, carrying one’s cross, and marching into battle. All of these are just the kinds of words that most people don’t want to follow much less hear. So what is the significance of this reference to someone building a tower?
In the time of Jesus the dream of every small farmer was to be able to build a tower. A tower was not so much a sign of wealth as it was an insurance policy against those who might invade a farmer’s fields or wild animals seeking sustenance during the harvest time.
In calling those who followed him, Jesus often spoke about the need to take seriously a decision to follow him. As with anyone who can stir up the emotions of a crowd with preaching or public speaking, Jesus knew that some of those who were proclaiming their intention to follow him were working on an explosion of momentary enthusiasm. Jesus was well aware that such enthusiasm was destined to evaporate in the heat of the day if it was not built upon a strong foundation.
In two of the examples used in his preaching about the cost of discipleship, the building of the tower and a king marching into battle, Jesus uses another phrase “sit down” to evaluate the particular needs. This phrase is important for anyone setting out on a project or a way of life. It is important to sit down and determine what resources one might have for such an adventure.
The reference to the tower has significance for us as well as the Palestinians of Jesus’ time. The tower is the construction that affords the farmer protection from the enemies. In our lives we have been called to build a tower ... so much as to isolate ourselves. Rather we should be building a tower to provide us with the ability to see out of ourselves into the world around us. From our own tower we should be able to see what challenges there are for us in the life that we live. The tower we build has to be formed by the Ten Commandments, the laws of our Church, and the life of the gospels explained by Jesus himself.
The reference to the tower has significance for us as well as the Palestinians of Jesus’ time. The tower is the construction that affords the farmer protection from the enemies. In our lives we have been called to build a tower ... so much as to isolate ourselves. Rather we should be building a tower to provide us with the ability to see out of ourselves into the world around us. From our own tower we should be able to see what challenges there are for us in the life that we live. The tower we build has to be formed by the Ten Commandments, the laws of our Church, and the life of the gospels explained by Jesus himself.
If the life of Jesus is a challenge, as taught those following him that it would be, we need to be strengthened to compete with what would attempt to destroy our own tower. In building our own tower we have to realize that the most important undertaking is not immediate building of the structure. More important is our taking the time to reflect on what we need in our tower, what challenges we have to face in our culture today. The temptation is just to say I am going to build my tower quickly without really determining what I need in my tower. If you read all the gospels, this was the problem with many of those who followed Jesus with great enthusiasm. Stirred by what he taught, many did not stop to think about what it would cost to follow him.
Quite honestly, the cost is high. As students begin to uncover new fields of learning in new courses, so to we who have passed the days of schooling need to remember that schooling is a life-long process. It doesn’t end with one, or two or three or four degrees. Schooling about ourselves, learning who I really am, takes much reflection.
Quite honestly, the cost is high. As students begin to uncover new fields of learning in new courses, so to we who have passed the days of schooling need to remember that schooling is a life-long process. It doesn’t end with one, or two or three or four degrees. Schooling about ourselves, learning who I really am, takes much reflection.
This is one of the mysteries of being a follower of Jesus. The teachings are exciting. Who would not want to be associated with someone who speaks so well of God? Only a fool would reject the opportunity. However, how many take the time to understand what the expectations are in becoming a follower?
Jesus does not ask the impossible of us. He gave his life to ennoble us. He gives us the resources the Father gave to him. If we believe he shares these resources with us, then building our tower is not a difficult project and discipleship is not an impossibility for us. You gather today around the Lord’s table to receive graces from him especially in and through the Eucharist. I invite you to speak with the Lord today, especially after receiving Holy Communion, asking him to strengthen your commitment to discipleship.
