Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
SABBATH GUIDE
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading- Wis 9:13-18b | Responsorial Psalm - Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 & 17 | Second Reading - Phmn 9-10, 12-17 | Gospel - Lk 14:25-33
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090422.cfm
“Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost…?” Lk 14:28
Have you ever started a project you were unable to finish? Ever said “yes” to something without fully realizing what you were getting into? In today’s Gospel, Jesus is up-front about what it means to follow Him, challenging His listeners to think carefully about the cost of discipleship before making a decision. It is noteworthy that Jesus addresses these words to “great crowds” - perhaps to people who were just curious, hoping for a miracle, or maybe just going along. Being a disciple of Jesus is not something passive - it is not something left partially accomplished. As St. Therese of Lisieux said, “You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”
Striving to be a saint does not mean we do not struggle: it means we do not give up, justify our sin, or become complacent. If we are going to profess to be a disciple, then we need to be all-in, “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot” (Rev 3:16). This is why Jesus asks us to take the time to consider the cost; to discern the choice of following Him. There is no middle ground. Invited to say "yes", we are free to say no; but He loves us either way. Will we carry our cross and come after Him or not?
Have you ever had a time or experience when you felt you were able to consider the cost of discipleship?
Is following Jesus something you feel you have freely chosen and committed yourself towards wholeheartedly? Something you are still considering?
What is one area of your walk with Jesus where you might be “riding the fence” - not completely “all in”?
GUÍA DOMINICAL
Vigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Primera Lectura- Sab 9, 13-19 | Salmo Responsorial - Salmo 89, 3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 14 y 17 | Segunda Lectura - Fmn 9-10. 12-17 | Evangelio - Lc 14, 25-33
“¿quién de ustedes, si quiere construir una torre, no se pone primero a calcular el costo?” Lc 14, 28
¿Alguna vez has comenzado un proyecto que no has podido terminar? ¿Alguna vez te has comprometido con algo sin darte cuenta en lo que te estabas metiendo? En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús es muy claro en cuanto a lo que significa ser su seguidor, desafiando a quienes le escuchan a que reflexionen cuidadosamente sobre lo que cuesta ser discípulo antes de tomar una decisión. Cabe destacar que Jesús les dirige estas palabras a las "grandes multitudes", quizás a personas que sólo tenían curiosidad, que esperaban un milagro o que, tal vez, sólo estaban pasando por allí. Ser discípulo de Jesús no es algo pasivo - no es algo que se deje a medias. Como decía Santa Teresa de Lisieux: "No puedes ser medio santo. Debes ser un santo completo, o no ser santo en absoluto".
Esforzarse por ser un santo no significa que no tengamos dificultades: significa que no nos rendimos, ni justificamos nuestro pecado, ni nos volvemos complacientes. Si vamos a declararnos discípulos, entonces debemos estar completamente comprometidos: "Conozco tus obras: no eres frío ni caliente. ¡Ojalá fueras frío o caliente!" (Ap 3, 15). Por eso Jesús nos pide que tomemos el tiempo para reflexionar sobre el precio; que discernamos la elección de seguirlo. No hay un punto intermedio. Estamos invitados a decir "sí", somos libres de decir "no"; pero Él nos ama de cualquier manera. ¿Cargaremos nuestra cruz y lo seguiremos o no?
¿Alguna vez has sentido que podías considerar pagar el precio de ser un discipulo?
¿Crees que seguir a Jesús es algo que has elegido libremente y con lo que te has comprometido de todo corazón? ¿Es algo que todavía estás considerando?
¿Cuál es un aspecto de tu caminar con Jesús en el que podrías no estar completamente comprometido?