23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  09/07/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

The readings this weekend instructs us on how to become Jesus’ Disciples: Detachment from family, from self, and from possessions and willingness to carry our own cross: “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.” (Lk. 14:26)

Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes this passage (Luke 14:33) and this is what it has to say: Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them “renounce all that [they have]” for his sake and that of the Gospel [Luke 14:33]. Shortly before his passion he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on. The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. (CCC 2544)

Christ is the center of all Christian life. The bond with him takes precedence over all other bonds, familial or social. So, how is the Church interpreting his words? “Unless you hate your father, mother, sister, brother, wife, children, you can’t be my disciple.” The church is saying what that means is, the bond with Christ has to be first in your life. It has to be above everything, even the relationship with your spouse or your children. It is supreme and that goes for every single Christian.

However: From the very beginning of the Church there have been men and women who have renounced the great good of marriage to follow the Lamb wherever he goes, to be intent on the things of the Lord, to seek to please him, and to go out to meet the Bridegroom who is coming. Christ himself has invited certain persons to follow him in this way of life, of which He remains the model. (CCC 1618)

Jesus can demand to be loved first because He is God. Only God can demand to take precedence over our mother and father.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary help us all to be faithful disciples of Jesus.