Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Wisdom 9:13-18B; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; and Luke 14:25-33. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 90 (Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 90 In every age O Lord You have been our refuge

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 8, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 8, 2019)

Community in Mission: Four Depictions of Discipleship - A Homily for the 23rd Sunday of the Year (7 SEP 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Radical Discipleship - a Call for All

The Deacon's Bench: Letting go: Homily for September 8, 2019, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (7 SEP 19)

The Sacred Page: The Cost of Discipleship: Readings for the 23rd Sunday in OT (3 SEP 19)

The Sacred Page: Does Jesus Teach Hate? (The Mass Readings Explained) (2 SEP 19)

Rhode Island Catholic: Sunday Scripture: Run so as to wiin (5 SEP 19)

St. Paul Center: Counting the Cost: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Word on Fire: The Cost of Discipleship (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * Week 23)

National Catholic Register: In Madagascar, Pope Francis Says That Joy Lightens the Demands of Discipleship (8 SEP 19)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Wisdom of the Heart and Putting God First (8 SEP 19)

Spirituality of the Readings: My Own Heart (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

In Exile: True and False Notions of Freedom (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Glancing Thoughts: What’s to Hate? (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Who Is Your Patron? (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

The Word Engaged: Eternal Vigilance (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Historical Cultural Context: Risky Behaviors (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Cassian (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time C)