A man was entrusted with just enough oil to keep a lighthouse working for a month. But then one day a woman came and said she desperately needed fuel for her stove to cook for her children. Later, another neighbor came by and asked for fuel for his car so he could take his pregnant wife to the hospital. Finally a friend said he needed some fuel for his furnace because his house was very cold and he had elderly parents.
Because the man had a good heart he gave a little oil to each person who asked for some. We might even have done the same thing. After all, isn’t that want Jesus asks us to do? Share what we have with those who are in need?
But then, a terrible storm came and the lighthouse ran out of fuel and went dark. As a result, three ships crashed into the rocks and sank, with the loss of hundreds of lives.
At the investigation, the man tried to explain, but the judge was harsh and clear, “You had one and only one responsibility: to keep the light on in the lighthouse. Because you lost sight of your mission, many lives were lost and many families are now suffering.”
In today’s gospel we hear four examples of people who had to choose between two good options. The first incident is between the messengers of Jesus and the Samaritan villagers. They had heard about Jesus and his message sounded appealing. What holds them back is their patriotism. Samaritans and Jews were bitter enemies. As soon as they learned that Jesus and his disciples were Jews and were heading for Jerusalem, their admiration turned into opposition. How could they betray their loyalty as Samaritans by following a Jewish Messiah?
Patriotism is usually a good thing. It should inspire us to work for the good of our country as well as the good of others. But let us not forget the Nazis were very patriotic. When patriotism becomes the lens through we view and judge all reality, including spiritual and eternal reality, then we are in danger of losing our perspective, losing our way and ultimately losing our souls.
The second incident involves a man who says to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replies, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:57-58). Why did Jesus say that? Because discipleship isn’t easy or comfortable. It is good to have high economic goals so that one can provide adequately for oneself and for one’s family. Yet following Jesus may require you to give up the very things that seem to offer you security. When this stands in the way of wholeheartedly following Jesus, then something is terribly wrong.
The third incident is that of the man who wanted first to go bury his father before following Jesus. Burying one’s parents is part of the commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). So this is a man with high moral principles, a man who keeps the law and is highly concerned about his religious duties. Again this is a very good virtue. Who can criticize it? Yet Jesus is saying we should not allow even religious observance to give us excuses to keep us from following Christ wholeheartedly. After all, if Jesus is who he says he is, the greatest honor we offer our parents is by living our life to spread the Good News.
Finally there is the man who wants to go and say farewell to his family before following Jesus. He follows the example of the prophet Elisha (1st reading) who bid his family farewell before becoming Elijah’s disciple. This man has high social and family values. One could only wish that all men would let their families know their whereabouts at all times! Yet before the urgent call of the kingdom of God, social and family concerns take a back seat. Jesus can save our families; our families cannot save Jesus. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62.
Many times in life, indeed many times each day, we have to choose, not between something good and something bad, (that would be—or at least should be—easy), but rather between two good things. Should you stay single or get married? Both good choices. Do you get married or enter religious life? Again, good choices. Do you apply to this college that has a good reputation but is expensive, or to that university which is closer to home and specializes in your major? Should you keep the job which you really like or take the one that offers better pay and benefits? Decisions, decisions.
The ultimate question, indeed, the only question, is what does God want for you? That’s easy: a good, meaningful and joy-filled life.
As for decisions, if God would only send you a text message or post a note on your Facebook page or at the very least leave a voice message on your phone, that would be great. Unfortunately, God doesn’t work like that.
It might just mean that God really doesn’t care whether you eat 간짜장 or 된장찌개 for lunch; or whether you should go to Harvard or Queens College, or whether you should head out to Roosevelt Mall after Mass or go bowling at Whitestone. Some things just aren’t all that important. One thing is clear: God wants what is best for you.
And God has given you all you need to make the right choices: a brain with the ability to think and reason, a conscience to let you know what is right and wrong, family and friends to rely upon for advice and help, and common sense. Above all, God has given you faith in Jesus Christ and a community of believers to support and guide you along the right path and help you get up again when things go wrong. God has blessed us with free will. We are free to make our own decisions and make our own mistakes. God can even work with these. When faced with two good choices, do what I do: choose one and then pray, “Lord if this is your will, help me. If not, stop me.” Works every time.
Today’s gospel tells us we cannot be part-time disciples. We cannot take our religion off after Mass on Sunday and store it in a closet till we go to Church. Our faith must permeate and penetrate every aspect of our life: our thoughts, our words, our actions, and our relationships. The Eucharist gives us the courage to answer the question: are we ready and willing to dedicate our lives to the one who gave his life to save us?
