Sometimes it might feel like the Gospel is full of contradictions. On one hand Jesus tells us that we must act in such a way that one’s left hand does not know what the right one is doing, but today we hear him say, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Hence, we walk the tension of doing the good works compelled by the Gospel but doing so in such a way that we do not bring focus to ourselves but rather glory to God. 

The admonition from Jesus seems clear -- discipleship is not for oneself alone. We are disciples, of course, hoping for the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ, but that is not all.

Discipleship as a gift comes with a cost. Like a city set on a hill, Jesus tells his disciples, we must let that light shine before the world. Jesus here is referencing the city of Jerusalem, at the time a more modern city its the brilliantly shining Temple visible over ten miles distant on the Mediterranean Sea. His disciples are called to be the New Jerusalem, a people glistening amidst the darkness of the world. 

But how?

Clearly by openly living their lives of discipleship. 

As this Gospel passage occurs in the Sermon on the Mount, which we heard at its opening on the previous Sunday, follows the Beatitudes. There Jesus laid out the virtues and attitudes that bespeak his followers. Men and women, not primarily interested in worldly power and fame, but rather in living life in humility, experiencing God’s blessings in the simplicity of their lives. 

Sounds easy -- no!

The opening Reading from Isaiah places the strong expectation on community within the Jewish world. One cares for the other -- sharing bread, clothing, shelter, to those who are in want and need. 

That is one way -- the path of service. Many people experience great satisfaction and even encounter God through their commitment to service and the welfare of others. In this way they give glory to God, sharing their blessings with others. 

Yet, there is a trap -- there is always a trap. 

Service can be self-serving as much as it is service to the other. Herein lies a great danger.

There is much criticism -- and justifiably so -- about those who love to post their photos of doing good deeds. Taking a selfie with a homeless person to whom they just handed some money or food. The person who is being served is at the same time being used as a prop and not regarded with his or her own essential human dignity. 

Living any single virtue without living the others, shows an unbalanced sense of spirituality and discipleship. We are called to serve, yes, but to do so in such a way that we do not become the focal point. 

The not-so-subtle reminder that Jesus offers in the midst of this Sermon is that the cost of discipleship is persecution, perhaps even martyrdom. His immediate disciples did not really want to hear that, nor were they expecting to hear it. On the other hand, we know it, but we seldom see it lived out in our area of the world. Yet, many millions of Christians today live out the cost of discipleship in some extreme ways. 

The Church, as the largest service organization in the world, is not just about distributing food, essentials, and goods to the poor and those devastated by war, disease, or natural disasters. Our primary mission -- indeed our sole mission -- is living discipleship so as to lead others to Christ.

Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.