How much does it cost?

Why are you a Christian? Do you know what you have gotten yourself into?

Many of us are Christian because of inertia – our parents were Catholic, so now we’re Catholic – much like political leaders who suddenly realize that they are on the path to war (remember World War I). It wasn’t a long-planned choice: things just worked out that way.

Like the King in today's Gospel, we need to be clear about the costs of being a Christian in this world that is in many ways post-Christian and will attack us. There are costs -- in the end, they will be insignificant in comparison to the glory we will share, but there will be costs.

Some of us are Catholic because there was something attractive about the idea – much like the lottery winner who starts building the mansion of his dreams. There wasn’t much thinking about all the pros and cons, the costs and benefits: he just WANTED it.

Like the builder in today's Gospel, we need to be clear about the costs of being a Christian in this world that is in many ways post-Christian and will not support us. There are costs -- in the end, they will be insignificant in comparison to the glory we will share, but there will be costs.

Be clear about the costs. Ask the Lord for fortitude and the grace of perseverance. Be a Christian and live in hope of a future glory that will infinitely surpass anything and everything in the world.