Builder, King and Cross

Last updated on: March 25, 2016 at 6:26 pm by Father Pablo Migone

Builder, King and Cross 2016-03-25T18:26:12-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What does sitting down to calculate how much money is needed to build a tower have to do with renouncing possessions and following Jesus? What does a king knowing how many men he needs to defeat his enemy have to do with carrying the cross?

While urging his disciples to renounce all their possessions, to carry the cross and to detach completely from their mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters and their own lives, Jesus gives as worthy examples a builder buying materials to build a tower and a king gathering troops to go to war. At first glance Jesus’ references to the builder and the king seem out of place in the Gospel of Saint Luke since they are sandwiched in between a call by Jesus to radical discipleship.

Through these two simple images Jesus teaches his followers a great lesson. In the same way a builder should begin construction work with full knowledge of the task he is starting and in the same way a king should be aware of his strength before battle, all disciples of Jesus must be aware of what their discipleship will entail.

The builder knows before he starts working what challenges constructing a tower will bring, so he prepares accordingly. It would be absurd for him to complain that the project took too many bricks; he should have known from the start how many bricks he would need. In the same way a king should not be surprised by the outcome of the battle if he prepared appropriately.

Jesus clearly teaches us that being his disciple will require the carrying of the cross. We should prepare accordingly and appropriately. We should not be caught unprepared nor should we complain when the cross gets heavy since the Master has been clear from the beginning as to what following him will entail.
One who complains about the challenges of living out the radical demands of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is like an irresponsible builder or an unprepared king. He or she did not understand before starting what discipleship would demand.

As the builder gathers materials and the king enlists men, Christians must gather opportunities for grace that the Lord gives. It is through the sacraments, prayer and faithfulness that a disciple of Christ prepares for the journey. It is through these encounters with Jesus that we prepare for the Christian journey of discipleship.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 2, 2013

Prayer and Fasting for Syria

Next Post

September 9, 2013 Constructor, Rey y Cruz

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What sign did God give Hezekiah to show he would be healed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Rain in drought The sun's shadow went backward A river turned to blood Fire from heaven