A Blue Print to Follow Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 23rd  Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 14:25-33*

*First Reading : Wis 9:13-18b*

*A Blue Print to Follow Jesus*

*1) The need of a blue Print*

A Blue print is a design plan, which is used construct a building and to plan the work and its whole expenses 

When a blue print is prepared, the whole project becomes very clear and work becomes easy 

The blue print also gives the details challenges and  problems which helps us to plan the work in a better way 

*2) Jesus speaks about the Blue print in today's Gospel*

In today's Gospel Jesus gives us two examples in which Jesus draws our attention to the blue print of the project 

*First Project : Construction of a Tower*

In this particular project Jesus draws our attention to the following things 

Calculation of the cost 

Enough material for the completion of the work 

Need of the various resources to complete the project 

These things which are highlighted by Jesus, speak nothing but the blue print of the project 

*Second project : Plan for a Battle*

The following things are highlighted by Jesus 

The strength of the Troop 

The capacity of the troop to capture the enemies 

The strength and weaknesses of the opposite team 

The possibility of winning the battle

The weak points where the king would lose the battle 

Once again all these things will help the king to prepare a blue print to complete the battle

*3) Blue Print to Follow Jesus*

In the Gospel Jesus gives us a blue print to His followes if they want to follow Him 

The blue print consists the following points 

1) Hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters

2) Hating of ones own life 

3) Carrying the Cross, and following Jesus 

This is the blue print of Jesus to follow Him 

*4) Project without Blue print*

A project with out blue print will collapse

First of all, there will not be any particular plan and secondly no one will be sure in what way to proceed the work

Finally everything will be in chaos and plan will claspe. 

Like wise with the blue print our efforts to follow Jesus will be in vain

*5) Blue print to know God's plan*

The first Reading of the day from the book of wisdom says *Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends?*

So the blue print will help us to know the designs of God 

There are two things which will help us to prepare the blue print 

1) Wisdom, which comes from God 

2) The gift of the Holy Spirit

These two things will help us to prepare the Blue print which will help us to follow Jesus 

*6) What is the Blue print of my Life?*

Having known the importance of the blue print, what is the blue print of my life? 

Is my blue print designed according to the worldly standards or according to the Heavenly standards? 

Is the blue print based on material things or on spiritual things? 

What is the effectiveness of my blue print in flowing Jesus??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*