C: 23rd Sun of OrdTime (8 Sept 2019) - POLITICAL WILL AND COLLEGIALITY (Lk 14:25-33)

“For who can learn the counsel [boulē] of God?

Or who can discern what the Lord wills [thelō]? (Wis 9:13)”

The Book of Wisdom in our First Reading today starts with laying down the transcendent nature of the so-called Will of God. It is so sublime that “the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail” (v. 14). Consequently, we are not able to grasp nor understand his designs unless it is unveiled to us by God himself through the holy spirit he sends (v. 17).

Our Gospel, on the other hand, enhances the process of this divine revelation and discovery of this message. Specifically, Jesus uses two practical examples in so doing, viz., the building of a tower and the waging into war:

“For which of you, intending [thelō] to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?” (Lk 14:28)

“Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider [bouleuō] whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?” (v. 31)

Both our readings today discuss the importance of willing and considering, which are contained in the two Greek root words, thelō and boulē, respectively. Hence, in order to discover what we need to do, it is best to investigate the meaning of these two words. Thelō can plainly mean having any desire, wish or liking to do or attain something. However, a deeper reference of the verb can be “to have an opinion, maintain contrary to the true state of affairs” (cf. BDAG). Accordingly, it can be used to express a resolved intent to stick to a specific point of view or, in other words, to fight for one’s principles.

Meanwhile, boulē can generally refer to any deliberate decision to do something; it is hence the final resolve to enact what one desires to do. Interestingly, the word boulē in the Greek Antiquity (e.g., Homer’s usage in the 8th cent. BCE) is a technical word for a legal decision achieved through a thorough deliberation in a kind of a council meeting. Boulē, hence, is not limited to a personal resolve, but involves community discernment as well.

Accordingly, if we juxtapose and reflect deeply on the meanings of these two words, thelō and boulē, and apply them in our present-day context, we can succinctly say that the process of knowing the will of God or what is right to be done in the course of life is to be enacted by doing two important things. One is the maintenance of a firm resolve to fight for one’s principle, especially when it is based on what is good, just and virtuous. Two is that in realizing any plans and intents, one has to confer with the wise counsel of others; much better if a decision is conducted in a democratic honest deliberation among persons of integrity.

In the final analysis, our present society lacks leaders who display these two attitudes of “political will” and “collegiality”. It is high time that we remind them continuously of these two components of genuine leadership, and to exemplify the same in our local communities, sectoral groups and even simply in our families.

- Rex Fortes, CM