Now that I have announced my upcoming retirement due to health concerns, I, of course, have feelings about the “unfinished tower” which I am leaving behind. This is a figure of speech. There are no “unfinished towers” at Mercy, but there are a number of projects which are planned, should be done or are in process—all of which I will leave in the capable hands of the staff and parishioners and whoever is named administrator in order to finish or choose not to do. There are times in life when we have a chance to “complete our mission,” but most of life is chasing one goal after another, so even those who choose to “finish this last thing” often find that there is always, one more thing after that.
As I said in my remarks last Sunday, this particular health issue (high blood pressure) is not something to wait and see because the effects could be disastrous. To that end, I want to appeal to everyone in the parish to make sure you have regular health screenings so that you know what to do to keep yourself healthy and protect your family.
The “unfinished tower” that I am referring to in the title of today’s article is building a life of faith. Obviously, this tower will remain “unfinished” until the day we die as we are meant to always grow in the Lord. But leaving something unfinished because we are still building it and NOT BEING ABLE to finish a project are two different things. Jesus talks about the person who begins to build a tower but cannot finish it because he lack the resources to do so. The tower is only an image for Him of our spiritual life.
Today’s Gospel begins with the only phrase Jesus speaks that is universally not accepted nor believed. “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” We cringe at the thought of having to hate our family and ourselves in order to follow Jesus. It makes no sense to us and it seems to be against the very commandment to love others. Then comes the example of constructing a tower.
Building a life of faith requires many of our resources and energy. However, we are so often consumed by daily concerns, that we put aside the life of faith in order to attend to family issues or work situations. When Sunday rolls around, many people are too tired to come to Church or they find it another chore instead of an enriching experience. They have spent the resource of time elsewhere and have no time left for God. Others see the spiritual life as something personal. Church is not essential to them, although Jesus says it is. Social media and even the livestreamed Mass is their only connection to others and not the Eucharist or praying together in Church. They have spent the resource of relationship on their computers and have nothing left to build a relationship with Christ.
The most common resource people use to build their tower of faith is the sacraments. Many think that being Baptized, receiving Holy Communion, Confirmation is all you need to build your tower of faith. The sacraments are milestones on the journey, but even they are not enough. Faith does not come because we attend Catechism classes or have received all our sacraments. Faith is not even daily prayer. Faith is an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ who is both God and Man, Word and Sacrament. Without Him, you will never have enough. With Him, you will never want for more. Peace, Fr Nick