Jesus’ teaching on discipleship continues in today’s Gospel from Luke. The passage begins with the same kind of hyperbolic statement on family relations that Jesus said a few weeks ago in the Gospel of the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his whole life, he cannot be my disciple.
These statements were meant to jolt Jesus’ listeners into paying attention and discussing his basic message. As in the similarly worded Luke 12:53 of two Sundays ago, the evangelist is referencing Micah 7:6, in which the prophet is lamenting the breaking down of family relations. The call to follow Jesus may indeed entail opposition even from those we love the most!
Now that we are shaken by this teaching, what is Jesus’ message today?
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
There is nothing half-hearted about following Jesus. We will face opposition, and we will have to carry a cross – our personal cross, a suffering and burden uniquely our own. Is following Christ worth this radical and uncomfortable lifestyle change? Jesus tells his followers to think it over by telling two parables.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? . . . Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another kind advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
In other words, give it some thought! Discipleship means discernment. And to hammer in the point, today’s Gospel ends with this further hyperbolic statement:
In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Looks like we’d better know what we’re doing before we can follow Christ! How does one make such a decision? The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom gives us some guidance.
Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends? For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans. . . Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.
To follow Christ means facing opposition and carrying a difficult cross. But Jesus has faith that we will make the right decision – a decision we must ponder carefully with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon You Are Just, O Lord (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #166
Today’s Entrance Antiphon is from Psalm 119 and dovetails nicely with today’s Second Reading from Philemon: “You are just, O Lord, and your judgment is right; treat your servant in accord with your merciful love.”
Entrance Chant Take Up Your Cross (Jaime Cortez)
Breaking Bread #702
Not just a song for Lent, but a song that lies at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm In Every Age, O Lord (Iván Díaz)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 310
Iván’s lovely verbatim setting captures the psalmist’s confidence in God.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Endless Mercy (Steve Angrisano)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 312
The acclamation verse is a prayer for God’s wisdom as we ponder Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Jesus, My Everything (Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #321; Never Too Young #220
Matt Maher’s song of discipleship encourages us as we strive to follow Jesus.
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon I Am the Light of the World, Says the Lord [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #168
The text for antiphon Option 2 reminds us that following Christ means walking in his light.
Communion Chant I Will Choose Christ (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #220; Never Too Young #261; Breaking Bread #495
One of the grand features of this popular discernment song is the way it changes keys from verse to verse. If your musicians are able to handle this modulation, go for it!
Sending Forth Lead Me, Lord (John Becker)
Spirit & Song #221; Never Too Young #19; Breaking Bread #725
“Lead Me, Lord” is an uplifting favorite of young people everywhere. It is appropriate as we begin a new school year.
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