September 7, 2025 - 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Our faith and our life choices always present a challenge for us. The wisdom of God is greater than our own. In the first reading, the Book of Wisdom reminds us that we often struggle to grasp even earthly realities—how much more do we need God’s guidance to understand His ways! Discipleship begins with humility: admitting our limits and allowing the Spirit to enlighten our steps.
St. Paul, writing to Philemon, shows what this looks like in practice. He appeals for Onesimus, a runaway slave, not as property to be returned, but as a brother in Christ. The Gospel radically reorders relationships; status, power, and ownership no longer define us. What matters is our belonging to Christ, who makes us one family.
The Gospel today is one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings. He tells the crowds that following Him requires more than admiration or good intentions; it demands commitment, sacrifice, and even the willingness to let go of what we hold most dear. To “hate” father, mother, possessions, even life itself, is not about despising them, but about putting Christ first. Discipleship means that everything else in our lives must find its place in relation to Him.
Jesus uses the examples of building a tower and preparing for battle to make His point: before setting out on a great endeavor, we count the cost. Following Him is not a casual decision. It requires honesty, perseverance, and trust in God’s grace. Like the builder and the king, we must recognize that we cannot complete this journey on our own strength; we need Christ to sustain us.
This Sunday challenges us to ask: What “cross” do I need to carry with Christ? What might I need to let go of in order to be freer for Him? Discipleship is demanding, but it leads to the deepest freedom and joy. When Christ is our first love, everything else falls into its proper order, and that is the true wisdom of life. May we have the courage to place Christ above all else, and the faith to follow Him wherever He leads.
God bless everyone always!!!
Fr. Stan
