Daily Readings - Sun Sep 04 2022

⁹Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.¹⁰I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:¹²Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:¹³Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:¹⁴But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.¹⁵For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;¹⁶Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?¹⁷If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

Luke

Chapter 14

²⁵And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.³³So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot 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.