September 8, 2019 Sunday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time-C

Wisdom 9:13-18

Psalm 90

Philemon 9-10

Luke 14:25-33

Prosper the work of our hands! Ps. 90:17

”Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Lk. 14:27

Lord, we all make a tremendous number of choices each day.  Some are life-changing but many are small in importance.  We stack our priorities to fulfill our needs and responsibilities at home, work or in the parish.   As you turned to the crowds you seemed to want to shock or shake them up with your very strong words about what’s really important in life.  You got their attention when you told them that if they were to be your disciples they had to pick up a cross.  In their minds the cross was the most feared instrument of death possible.  You even told them that their commitment to you must come before family.  These are hard sayings, Lord.   How do these words strike me today?  If they don’t shake me up, I’m missing the point.  Help me, dear Jesus, to honestly examine my priorities.   What’s most important to me? Building my relationship with you isn’t a hobby or something I do when I have time.   I admit I can’t do this on my own.  Help me, Lord, to place everything at your feet.  With your grace I can be your disciple and be confident you will “prosper the work of my hands.”  Amen