A sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Luke 14:25-33
In the Gospel text for today it says: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
This mandate, expressed one way or another, is found in the Gospels sixteen times. In other words, this is not a minor item in a long list but is said again and again.
Notice that it doesn’t say: “What matters is that your good intentions.” Nor does it say: “Try the best you can.” It also doesn’t allow for us to say: “I’m not perfect, but I’m sure better than so-and-so over there.”