Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Cost of Discipleship: Freedom, Cross, and Love
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Conscious Discipleship
Look before You Leap
Greeting
The Lord comes among us
and calls us to follow him without conditions.
May we listen to his call
and may he always be with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant:
Conscious Discipleship
At first sight it looks contradictory that on the one hand Jesus presents his message and even himself as an invitation, a free offer that we can either accept or reject; and on the other hand as a strict demand. Today’s gospel sheds light on this paradox: Yes, what he offers us is a present, and no one is forced to accept it. We remain free, but if we accept it, it will be demanding. Jesus and his kingdom are to be put above even our dearest relationships and desires. So, we have to think twice before we accept. But we must know that with him and by his strength we can answer his call, however difficult, and we will be happy. He gives us that invitation and strength in this Eucharist.
Look Before You Leap
People who want to get ahead in life keep looking forward to the future. They reflect, they consult, they plan, and they evaluate their methods, taking nothing for granted. This is, or ought to be, the attitude of Christians. They know that the Christian life is serious. They do not take their faith for granted. They ask themselves: What is God’s will and plan for me, today, in my state of life? Where am I going? Am I following Christ my Lord the way he wants me to? Do I identify with him? Do I make myself free from the things that keep me from following him? And do I follow him also when the cost is high?
Penitential Act
Let us ask pardon from the Lord
for not always having had the courage
to follow him all the way.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, if we do not learn
to carry your cross with you
we cannot be your disciples.
Lord, give us courage.
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, if we are not willing
to go with you all the way
we cannot be your disciples:
Christ, give us your strength.
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, unless we are willing to give up
all that we are attached to,
we cannot be your disciples.
Lord, give us your liberating power.
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Lord, in your patient mercy
forgive us our cowardice and our sins.
Journey with us on the road
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray for God’s Spirit
that we may follow Jesus consistently
(pause)
God our Father,
we have accepted your invitation
to follow your Son Jesus as his disciples.
Let your Spirit give us the wisdom and strength
to take our faith seriously
and to accept our task in life
with all its consequences.
Let the Spirit help us to go your Son’s way
without fear or discouragement,
for we are certain Jesus will lead us to you,
our loving God for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
and teach me your laws.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers of the Faithful
Let us pray to Jesus our Lord that we may be disciples who follow him resolutely, and let us say: R/ Lord, be our light and our strength.
– For all those in positions of leadership in the Church and in the world, that God’s Spirit may enlighten them and give them courage, let us pray: R/ Lord, be our light and our strength.
– For all those who are seeking God with a sincere heart, that they may find him; for all those who try to discover what God wants them to do, that the Lord may give them insight and wisdom, let us pray: R/ Lord, be our light and strength.
– For those called by the Lord to special ministries of service in the community, that they may have the courage to put no limitations on their generosity, let us pray: R/ Lord, be our light and strength.
– For those disillusioned or discouraged by adversity and suffering, that they may encounter convinced Christians who may inspire them, let us pray: R/ Lord, you are our light and strength
– For all of us here, that we may commit ourselves to Jesus our Lord as he commits himself to us, let us pray: R/ Lord, be our light and strength.
Lord Jesus Christ, let your thoughts and life, your faithfulness and courage be ours, that we may follow you without reservations on the way to the Father and to people, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in these gifts of bread and wine
we bring ourselves before you
and you let your Son give himself to us.
May we learn from him
to make ourselves free
for people and for you
and to seek your will in all we do.
May we follow your Son
in his trials and his glory,
now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
We now join Jesus in his sacrifice. He willingly sacrificed everything for the love of the Father and of people. Let us join him in his attitude, for we are his disciples today.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
With Jesus our Lord
we pray to the Father
that his will and intentions may be ours. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us the wisdom
of discovering your will in everyday life.
In your mercy, set us free
from all attachments and fears
that keep us from hearing
the call of your Son to follow him.
Help us to prepare in hope and joy
for the return in glory among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord,
who left his glory
to become the Savior of people.
This is Jesus the Lord who invites us
to join our destiny with his
and to follow him all the way. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
in this Eucharist you have enlightened us
with the word of wisdom of your Son
and given us his bread of strength
to follow him without hesitation.
Fill us with the wisdom and strength of your Spirit
to go with Jesus
through the desert of pain and the cross
for the sake of bringing life and joy
to our brothers and sisters in need
and for giving glory to you,
our God for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
As on other Sundays,
we have again been confronted today
with Jesus and his message.
These put our life under the criticism of the Good News.
You are my disciple? Very good.
But do you speak up for people trampled upon?
Do you give time and attention to people in need?
Can you accept hardships for the sake of others?
Such are the marks of the real disciple.
We have reflected on these marks
and we ask God to give us strength.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace and follow the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.
Luke 14: 25-33
The Cost of Discipleship: Freedom, Cross, and Love
The Gospel this Sunday presents us with words of Jesus that are both surprising and unsettling. Large crowds are following Him, attracted by His message and His presence. Yet Jesus does not rejoice at the popularity. Instead, He turns to the people and speaks words that sound harsh: “Whoever does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple… Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple… None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”
How strange! We are so accustomed to thinking of success in terms of numbers—how many attend Mass, how many belong to our groups, how many “like” what we do. Numbers can be useful for reflection, but they can also mislead us. They can tempt us to pride, to the illusion that more always means better. Jesus teaches us something else: discipleship is not about quantity but about quality. It is about love that is courageous, radical, and free.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus calls His followers a “little flock,” a grain of salt, a mustard seed. Small, fragile, insignificant in the eyes of the world—yet capable of transforming everything. The Church is not great because of influence or prestige, but she is great when she is faithful to the Gospel, even when it is costly.
Jesus gives three conditions for discipleship. First, to place Him above every other relationship. This does not mean despising our families or loving them less. Rather, it means loving them more—but in Him. True love never enslaves; it sets free. When family, friends, or even our own desires block the path of the Gospel, then we must have the courage to put Christ first.
The second condition: to carry the cross. This isn't passively resigning or seeking suffering but a call to fidelity. The cross appears when we choose honesty over convenience, forgiveness over resentment, service over selfishness. It may bring ridicule, misunderstanding, rejection, or even persecution and death in some parts of the world. Yet, disciples carry it with love, following Jesus's way.
The third condition: to renounce possessions. Jesus does not invite us to misery but to freedom. Possessions are not evil, but they easily enslave us. Think of the first Christian community: “They held everything in common… and there was no one in need among them.” That is the joy of detachment—everything is gift, everything is shared.
Brothers and sisters, discipleship is serious. It is not a hobby, not a pastime, not only for the devout few. It is the path of love—demanding, beautiful, and life-giving. Jesus does not want half-hearted followers. He wants friends who trust Him completely.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the courage to put Christ above all, to carry our crosses with love, and to live free from possessions. Then we will be His true disciples: small, yes, but filled with the flavour of the Gospel.