Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Mass - Sep 4, 2016 - Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Tom Baldonieri
Share :

Homily Video

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript

I’m sure we’ve all been through this experience of going to a place to make a purchase or before we make a purchase, a lot of times when we’re about to decide whether or not we’re going to acquire something or do something, we might weigh the cost. And quite often times we have to look for that asterisk that leads you to the fine print. I think of today’s scripture readings as Jesus kind of enlarging that fine print. Making it very clear what are the costs? What are the costs in following him? I think the Lord is inviting his disciples to the process of discernment, discernment of discipleship.

Well, let’s look at the first reading because discernment and reflection is important in the first reading that we heard. We hear about wisdom, how who would know God’s council except God and first would give us that gift of wisdom, give us that Holy Spirit to guide us to make our paths straight? So it’s true in the spiritual life as well. As that great crowd follows Jesus, one begins to think, and maybe Jesus thought himself, “Do they really know what they’re getting into?” Are they really aware of what is about to happen on his road to the cross? The cross is there before him. He’s about to take up that cross and he wants his disciples to have a seriousness about their discipleship. Are they willing to give up everything to make that sacrifice? To turn away from those possessions that have possessed them or not allowing a love for those possessions or even their life or their family, or any other thing to get in the way of their relationship with God? These can be great hindrances and can really be a stumbling block for the disciple along the way.

And so Jesus gives them some examples of like if they were constructing a tower, wouldn’t they first want to consider if they have enough material? Or if they’re a king going into battle, wouldn’t they want to consider the number of troops they have, as opposed to the advancing king’s troops? In the spiritual life we do the same. We must recognize the great cross that goes before us and know that while we carry that cross Jesus has carried it first. And he gives us strength. He gives us strength as we follow him each day upon that road of discipleship.

In this jubilee year of mercy, let’s use this time of reflection to sermon of discipleship and ask our Lord to help us to use those gifts, those talents we have not first for ourselves or our own possessions. But to give them away, to give fully as he has done in his sacrifice for us.

Give now to support Sunday Mass

Donate

Discover More

Request Sunday Mass Guide

The Sunday Mass Guide sent to your home address

Spiritual nourishment and updates from the Sunday Mass community

Monthly reflections from Fr. Scott Donahue, our Principal Celebrant

Fill out your information