DISCIPLESHIP: IS THE COST TOO HIGH?
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
"...the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” (Mt. 14:15). (Reading 8/02/2026)
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." (Mt. 15:21-28)
Today's Gospel reading from Matthew prompted me to contemplate my actions as a disciple. Tossing and turning, I questioned whether I was a devoted follower who emulated Jesus. Have you ever considered what it truly means to be a dynamic disciple? Naturally, in our fast-paced world, filled with news, current events, and emails arriving at lightning speed, we likely don't take the time to think about the meaning or the cost of discipleship.
Depending on your perspective on your discipleship within your ministry, the recent Sunday scriptures have revealed a reality that, for me, is unfortunate. These scriptures have highlighted areas in my ministry that require attention. For instance, just two weeks ago, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowd away to find food. This behavior did not demonstrate care for the people. Jesus had to instruct them to feed the crowd. The Holy Spirit was teaching me that we sometimes behave like the disciples, telling people on the streets or family members to leave because we lack food or money to offer them.
In truth, we do have food. Our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry contain enough supplies to last us, I believe, for a month. Even now, you might be thinking about stopping by the grocery store because you feel the need to buy more food, even though you have food at home. Our creature comforts and desires, unfortunately, often hinder us from acting as fully or dynamically as we could as disciples. Some of us live on the edge, believing we have to get more, even though St. Paul said, "My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
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Today's passage from Matthew's gospel highlights another action that reassures me that God is still working with us. Consider the disciples' words to Jesus: "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." It's important to note that this woman is seeking mercy, which seems commendable. Yet, what's even more troubling is that she's pleading with Jesus to assist her because a demon is tormenting her daughter. This mother needs help, and once again, the disciples follow their usual pattern of dismissing people.
Witnessing the interactions among these three—the woman in need, Jesus contemplating healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman, and the disciples who refuse to help someone in distress, or perhaps I should say, health insurance—is disheartening. With medication costs rising and health insurance premiums climbing each year, we resemble the disciples who encouraged Jesus to send this woman away without addressing her family's needs. Is this not what our health insurance companies are doing today? Are they not profiling people of color, betting on who has a longer life? One might assume that after Jesus fed the multitudes and rescued Peter from drowning, the disciples would have learned to show compassion towards the Canaanite woman. As the Proverb advises: "Open your mouth to speak on behalf of those in need" (Pro. 31:8-9). Not a single disciple spoke up for the woman in need; is that my reflection in the mirror? Is our government looking into a broken mirror and not wanting to help those in need?
Therefore, as I continue to reflect on the cost of my discipleship and what it takes to be a fully active disciple, I am reminded of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). CST teaches under the heading of "Rights and Responsibilities" that "human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society."
It is evident to me that a true disciple safeguards those in need, emulating the path of Jesus. Every part of creation deserves to be treated with respect, and we should refrain from sending them away for our own convenience. We should nourish the hungry and care for the sick. These actions are essential to becoming an active disciple! The cost of discipleship is not too high when you trust in God's graciousness.
May God's graciousness towards me reflect an image of discipleship that mirrors Christ.
I am looking at the man in the mirror; am I a true disciple? I want to make a change!
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Thank you Professor Howard for continuing to inspire us to "put ourselves in the place of the disciples" and tell the truth about who we really are!
Blessings
Thank You Mr Howard, This really made me stop and think about what being a true disciple looks like in everyday life. It’s easy to say we follow Christ, but are we really showing compassion when someone is hungry, sick, struggling, or simply needs help?
The part about “sending them away” really stood out to me because sometimes we may not realize that we’re doing the same thing in our own lives. This was a good reminder for me to look in the mirror and ask: Do my actions truly reflect Christ? 🙏🏽❤️