There’s a saying in Lagos that “before you enter a danfo, obviously you need to know where it is going and make sure you have your change.” Many have learned this the hard way. You board without asking, only to find yourself in traffic at Ago when you were headed for CMS. In life, as in transport, not counting the cost can be expensive. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, says to us: “Before you follow Me, know the destination and the price.” And this is not a price in naira or dollars.
It’s a price in loyalty, sacrifice, and surrender. Following Christ, He warns, is not for those looking for a smooth, air-conditioned ride; it is for those ready to bear a cross. The Book of Wisdom (Wis. 9:13–18) begins today’s liturgy by humbling us: “For who can learn the counsel of God?” In other words, without God’s Spirit, we cannot even grasp His ways, let alone walk in them. The original audience here were Jews in the diaspora surrounded by Greek culture, tempted to follow the wisdom of the world. The writer reminds them: divine wisdom doesn’t come by clever thinking alone; it comes as a gift from God.
Fast forward to Luke 14:25–33: Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, surrounded by a large crowd. Many are there for the miracles, the food, the stories, the “vibes,” as we’d say today. But He turns and delivers a reality check: “If anyone comes to Me without hating father, mother… even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” “Hating” here, in the Semitic expression, doesn’t mean emotional hostility but choosing Christ over even the dearest human bonds when they compete. Then He gives two analogies: a man building a tower who must first count the cost, and a king going to war who must assess if he can win. In short, discipleship requires deliberate decision, not casual curiosity.
Theologically, these readings together remind us that we cannot follow God without His wisdom (Wisdom 9) and that wisdom tells us the cost of following Christ and urges us to pay it joyfully (Luke 14). The Catechism (CCC 2544) puts it plainly: “Jesus enjoins His disciples to prefer Him to everything and everyone, and bids them ‘renounce all that [they have]’ for His sake.” Now let’s talk plainly: In Nigeria today, “counting the cost” is not a foreign idea.
Every market woman counts the cost before buying goods. Every civil servant counts the cost before making a home budget. Every business owner counts the cost of rent, fuel, and salaries before expanding. Even a wedding committee counts the cost before printing invitations (at least, they should). But how many of us apply this principle to our walk with God? Many start their Christian life like people starting a business in January full of enthusiasm, grand plans, and colourful branding but by August, the fire is gone because the profit (or blessing) didn’t come as fast as expected. Counting the cost in discipleship means knowing in advance that obedience may be unpopular, integrity may cost you a deal, faith may make you walk alone and generosity may be repaid with ingratitude.
But it also means knowing that God Himself is your reward not just the blessings He gives. Notice Jesus spoke to a large crowd. Many were walking with Him, but not all were following Him. Some people are just “going in the same direction” as Jesus, but have no intention of staying with Him when the road gets rough. Choosing Him means separating from the crowd mentality. Wisdom 9 tells us we can’t guess God’s plan; we must ask for His Spirit. In business, you don’t just invest in anything, you seek advice, do research, and study trends. In the Christian journey, prayer, Scripture, and spiritual direction are our “market survey.” Without them, we will misprice the cost of following Christ.
A trader invests capital knowing profit will come later. Farmers sow in faith. So it is with God, the cross we carry is not the end of the story. As St. Paul said in Romans 8:18, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed.” St. Augustine once said, “If you believe what you like in the Gospel and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe but yourself.” The cost of discipleship is accepting the whole Christ not a “pickand-mix” or “raffle draw” version. Mother Teresa put it more simply: “Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. Love until it hurts, and then love more.”
Beloved in Christ, you and I are invited today to be intentional about our discipleship. Not accidental Christians. Not Sunday-only followers. Not those who begin but do not finish. The God who calls us will give us the wisdom to walk with Him if we ask. So, count the cost but also count the joy. The One who asks for your all is the One who gave His all for you.
And in the end, whatever we give up for Christ will seem small compared to the eternity He gives us in return. May the Lord grant you the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Peter, and the endurance of Paul. May you follow Christ with a heart free from fear, a will firm in faith, and a joy that no circumstance can steal. And may your life, in counting the cost, reap a reward that counts for eternity. Amen.
• Rev. Fr. Stephen Izegbuno , Associate Parish Priest, Our Lady, Mother and Queen Catholic Church, Badore, Ajah.
