Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 8, 2013:

Wisdom 9: 13-18b
Psalm 90: 3-6, 12-17
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14: 25-33

Does it seem to you a bit jarring that in these final lazy days of summer, the Gospel messages aren't a sweet invitation to lull around with just one more glass of lemonade and take it easy? These words of Jesus lately have been.... challenging. But really: HATE your family, RENOUNCE all your possessions?

Let's start with a little clarification on the vocabulary: in this context, 'hate' does not mean to have intense dislike for another. It was rather a directive to prefer Jesus to any other relationship. To put God First, as bumper stickers might say today. Renouncing possessions is also a matter of priority- do you own your belongings or do they own you? And does your concern for your possessions get in the way of you being a faithful disciple?  Jesus continues with two short stories to illustrate the need to consider the consequences before jumping into any serious commitment.

Notice the first line of the Gospel, "Great crowds were traveling with Jesus." He was, at least for the moment, the Next Big Thing. But Jesus knew that he was on the way to Jerusalem, and that popularity only goes so far. He challenged this crowds, as he challenges us today to be honest about our priorities. The reality is NOT choosing between God OR loved ones, the Christian reality is that in paying primary attention to our relationship with God, our lives with ours, and our interaction with our possessions will consequently and naturally be rightly ordered. 

A second aspect to Jesus' challenge to Hate/Renounce might be in regard to the inclusive nature of his ministry. There is no one in this world Jesus does not love, or for whom he does not offer redemption. If we are to be his disciples, if we are to follow Christ so closely that people recognize Christ in us, we can't limit ourselves to the insularity of our family, neighborhood, ethnic group, country, etc.  Appreciating the safety and familiarity of those we know and love is fine, but if it becomes a barrier to serving whoever is in need, that's an impediment to following Jesus.

• Who or what causes you to hesitate when given the opportunity to follow Christ more closely?

Mystagogia Meets this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 10:45- 11:30am in Room 212.
Inquiry meets this Tuesday, Sept. 10.