Daily Readings - Sun Sep 04 2022

¹³For who among men can know the counsel of God? Or who can imagine the will of God¹⁴For the thoughts of mortals are timid, and our foresight is uncertain¹⁵For the corruptible body weighs down the soul, and this earthy dwelling presses many thoughts upon the mind¹⁶And we assess with difficulty the things that are of earth, and we discover with labor the things that are within our view. So who will search out the things that are in heaven¹⁷Moreover, who will know your mind, unless you give wisdom and send your holy spirit from on high¹⁸And in this way, those who are on earth are corrected in their path, and men learn the things that are pleasing to you

Philemon

Chapter 1

⁹but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ¹⁰I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus¹²So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart¹³I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel¹⁴But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly¹⁵So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity¹⁶no longer as a servant, but, in place of a servant, a most beloved brother, especially to me: but how much so more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord¹⁷Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me

Luke

Chapter 14

²⁵Now great crowds traveled with him. And turning around, he said to them²⁶"If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and yes, even his own life, he is not able to be my disciple²⁷And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me, is not able to be my disciple²⁸For who among you, wanting to build a tower, would not first sit down and determine the costs that are required, to see if he has the means to complete it²⁹Otherwise, after he will have laid the foundation and not been able to finish it, everyone who sees it may begin to mock him³⁰saying: ‘This man began to build what he was not able to finish.³¹Or, what king, advancing to engage in war against another king, would not first sit down and consider whether he may be able, with ten thousand, to meet one who comes against him with twenty thousand³²If not, then while the other is still far away, sending a delegation, he would ask him for terms of peace³³Therefore, everyone of you who does not renounce all that he possesses is not able to be my disciple

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of wisdom, compassion, and the demands of discipleship. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear that human understanding is limited and that true wisdom comes only from God. The author acknowledges the fragility of human thought and the burden of our earthly existence, which makes it difficult for us to grasp God’s plan. Yet, it is precisely through God’s gift of wisdom and the Holy Spirit that we can navigate life’s challenges and align our wills with His. This passage reminds us of our dependence on God and the need to seek His guidance in all things. The second reading from the Letter to Philemon offers a beautiful example of how wisdom and compassion can transform relationships. Paul, writing while in chains, appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a brother in Christ. Paul’s words are a masterclass in humility and love. He does not demand justice or punishment but instead asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother, not a servant. This reading highlights the power of forgiveness and the way faith can redefine even the most unequal relationships. It challenges us to see others through the lens of Christ and to act with the same kindness and generosity that God has shown us. In the Gospel, Jesus presents a radical vision of discipleship. He tells us that following Him requires a willingness to let go of even the closest earthly ties and to bear the cross. This is not a rejection of love for family or life but a call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. Jesus uses the parables of the tower builder and the king going to war to emphasize the need for discernment and commitment. True discipleship is not impulsive or half-hearted; it demands a deep surrender and a willingness to renounce everything for the sake of the Kingdom. These readings, taken together, remind us that living as a disciple of Christ is both a privilege and a challenge. It requires us to seek wisdom, to act with compassion, and to embrace the sacrifices that come with following Jesus. May we, like Paul and Philemon, allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and our relationships, and may we be willing to pay the price of true discipleship.