The modern martyr, Dietricht Bonhoeffer, who was hung just before the end of the Second World War for his involvement in a plot to kill Adolph Hitler, wrote a now famous book called "The Cost of Discipleship".  It speaks of discipleship as not always easy and very likely costly to our comfort and ease. I don't suppose this should be too surprising, as the one we follow was nailed to a cross.

But, there is and always has been another version of the gospel circulating.  One which perhaps denies the cost and emphasizes that discipleship can only bring us blessings.

Now, perhaps in an age when people are downtrodden or feel low self esteem, there is a necessity for such an emphasis.  But, I wonder whether there are any circumstances where the cost of discipleship should be totally forgotten.

Have a look at this quote and the article from which it comes and see what you think:

Check out this post from Sojourners on the way Muslim Amerians still feel threatened on the anniversary of 9/11:

FAITH IN THE NEWS

US Muslims: backlash fear builds each 9/11
“There is the dread of leaving the house that morning. People might
stare, or worse, yell insults. Prayers are more intense, visits with
family longer. Mosques become a refuge. Eight years after 9/11, many
U.S. Muslims still struggle through the anniversary of the attacks.”

many people, understandably today, misunderstand this verse from Proverbs.  We have lost the religious world view that would allow us to properly interpret it and instead have inhereted an understanding of religion which leads many people to see th Creator as a malevolent and spiteful diety who simly wants to punish most of us.

 Yet, we long for wisdom, something deeper, somthing beyond reason and technology.  This week's readings speak of wisdom and I thought it might be helpful to post this sermon by Paul Tillich, explaining quite well, I think, why the search for wisdom must lead us to the feet of the Holy One: