A Few Words On "The Word"

September 9, 2007
The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 14:25-33

Finish What You've Started!

A friend of mine has a bit of a problem. She's an amazing person with many interests and talents. As a result, she is always starting new projects. Unfortunately she rarely finishes any of them. For example, she'll decide that it's time to redecorate a room in her house or learn how to play an instrument. She'll buy paint for the walls or a few new pictures but somehow the room is never completed. She may buy a new guitar and sign up for lessons but after a couple of weeks she'll inevitably move onto something new.

Many of us have had similar experiences. We start a project and fail to finish it. We lose interest, decide that it's too hard, or find that what had seemed like such a good idea just wasn't. It's okay for us to change our minds about hobby's we may like or dislike, that's part of growing and learning. What we have to realize is that there are some projects that we can never abandon.

In today's gospel we hear Jesus reiterating how hard it is to follow him. A few weeks ago he talked about the sacrifices we must make when we commit our lives to following him. This week, Jesus also points out that planning and finishing a project is vital.

By virtue of our baptism you and I have been given the amazing task of building God's kingdom. We may have been babies when this long-term project started but our parents promised that they would give us the firm foundations that would one day help us be peacebuilders. It probably wasn't until later that we realized what a sacrifice it is to follow Jesus and work on his grand project.

Working on a new project is exciting. We learn new things and therefore aren't quite as bored with the project itself. The freshness and newness inspires us and we spend hours on our new hobby. On the other hand, building God's kingdom isn't always the most fun thing to do. Sure, at first we are often inspired and excited. Our feelings and zeal push us to serve others regularly. Unfortunately, over time we can begin to get a little bored with God's project. We'd rather stay at home with our new hobbies!

God doesn't call us to work in shifts for just a little while. God calls us to give everything we have at all times. This doesn't mean that we have to totally exhaust ourselves. However, we do need to make sure we build God's kingdom in some way on a daily basis.

Important projects take time and peacebuilding is definitely a huge project. Luckily, baptism has equipped us with the resources to finish what others have started. Even when we begin to lose interest in this most vital task, we know that God will provide, continuously pushing us forward as we relentlessly seek to build God's kingdom.

Reflection Question

In what ways do you persevere and continue to work on the project God has assigned you even when the going gets rough?

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