23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Wisdom 9:13-18B: Understanding God’s intentions is beyond human capacity without divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit, as earthly concerns often cloud our judgment.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: God, timeless and eternal, teaches us to value our days and seeks our return to righteousness, offering mercy and favor throughout our fleeting lives.
• Second Reading – Philemon 9-10, 12-17: Paul, imprisoned, sends Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a slave but as a beloved brother, urging Philemon to welcome him as he would Paul himself.
• Gospel – Luke 14:25-33: Jesus teaches that following him requires prioritizing him above all personal relationships and possessions, emphasizing the need to consider the sacrifices involved, much like planning a construction or a battle.

Lectionary Reference: 129

Upcoming dates: September 7, 2025, September 10, 2028, September 7, 2031

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C calls us to reflect on discipleship and the wisdom needed to follow Christ. The readings challenge us to choose Jesus above everything else and to rely on God for understanding.

• The cost of discipleship: Jesus reminds us that following Him requires sacrifice. We must be willing to put Him above all else, even when it is difficult.
• God’s wisdom over human understanding: The first reading shows that God’s wisdom is greater than ours. We need His guidance to make the right choices in life.
• Detachment from possessions: The Gospel challenges us to let go of material things. True discipleship means not being controlled by wealth or possessions.
• Carrying the cross: Jesus speaks about the need to carry our crosses. This means accepting struggles and hardships with trust in Him.
• Welcoming others as family: In the second reading, Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a brother. This reminds us that we are all part of God’s family.
• Counting the cost: The Gospel asks us to think carefully before following Jesus. Discipleship requires commitment and planning for the challenges ahead.

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C helps us reflect on what it means to truly follow Jesus. The readings invite us to trust God’s wisdom and let go of anything that keeps us from Him.

Psalm 90: Your Blueprint for a Purposeful Life

The responsorial psalm for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, taken from Psalm 90, reminds us of the shortness of life and the need to seek God’s wisdom. It calls us to reflect on how we spend our days and whether we are living in a way that honors God. This reflection helps us see the importance of relying on Him for guidance as we journey through life.

Psalm 90 also speaks about God’s everlasting nature and His mercy. It invites us to pray for a heart of wisdom and to find joy in living according to His will. For a deeper look at how this psalm can inspire and guide us, explore this link for more reflections and ideas.

See a prayer based on Psalm 90.

The Fair-Weather Fans of Jesus

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, emphasizing the cost of discipleship. He explains that Jesus challenges the crowds who followed Him as a popular figure by making bold demands. Jesus teaches that He must come before family, possessions, and even our own lives. This is not about hating others but about loving Christ above all else.

Bishop Barron points out that Jesus’ words show His identity as the supreme good—God Himself. Following Jesus requires a total shift in priorities, where everything revolves around Him. Discipleship involves carrying our cross, which means letting go of selfishness and personal plans. Bishop Barron encourages us to take Jesus’ words seriously and reflect on whether we are truly putting Him at the center of our lives.

Do I Need to Hate Mom and Dad?

In his reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jeff Cavins explains Jesus’ challenging words about “hating” family and even our own lives. He clarifies that Jesus uses hyperbole to stress the need for total commitment to Him. Following Jesus means putting Him first above all else, including relationships, possessions, and personal plans. This level of dedication is not optional—discipleship requires being “all in.”

Cavins emphasizes that when we make Jesus our priority, everything else in life falls into place. Loving Jesus above all helps us love others better because our lives are grounded in Him. He encourages us to examine whether we are fully committed or holding back, and to seek God’s help in making Him the center of our lives. The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to ask if we are ready to live as true disciples.

Following or Not?

In his reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Fr. Greg Friedman compares failed projects, like Cincinnati’s unfinished subway, to the journey of discipleship. Jesus cautions those who merely travel alongside Him that following Him requires a deeper commitment. Using examples of a builder and a military leader, Jesus warns that embarking on discipleship demands careful consideration and readiness to see it through, even when it’s difficult.

Fr. Friedman highlights Jesus’ teaching about carrying our cross and renouncing possessions. True discipleship means letting go of anything that holds us back and making Christ our top priority. Even the exaggerated language about “hating” family is a call to reexamine our relationships and priorities. The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C challenges us to follow Jesus fully, with commitment and trust in Him above all else.

Counting the Cost

In his reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Scott Hahn explains that Jesus calls everyone, not just the Twelve, to fully commit to following Him. Jesus’ stark language about “hating” family and renouncing possessions is a challenge to let go of anything that keeps us from putting Him first. Discipleship requires sacrifice, choosing Christ above all else, and trusting in His saving wisdom to guide us on the path to eternal life.

Hahn also highlights that Jesus Himself paid the price to free us from sin and give us new life. Like Onesimus in the second reading, we have been redeemed and made part of God’s family. No longer slaves to the burdens of this world, we are called to live in the light of Christ, filled with His kindness and wisdom. The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to number our days and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to reflect deeply on what it means to follow Jesus. The readings challenge us to rely on God’s wisdom, welcome others with love, and consider the cost of discipleship. Each message calls us to grow in trust, commitment, and love for God and others.

God’s Wisdom Over Human Understanding

The first reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us how limited our human understanding is. It tells us that we often cannot see the bigger picture or fully grasp what God has planned for us. Without His wisdom, we are like people trying to find their way in the dark.

This reading encourages us to turn to God for guidance in our lives. Instead of relying only on what we know or understand, we need to pray for His wisdom. When we face important decisions or challenges, we should ask for His help, trusting that He knows what is best for us.

We are reminded that God’s ways are higher than ours. His wisdom helps us see beyond our own fears and desires. Trusting Him can lead us to choices that bring real peace and meaning. As we reflect on this reading, we can ask ourselves if we are truly listening to God or if we rely too much on our own judgment.

Welcoming Others as Family

In the second reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a brother in Christ. Onesimus was once a servant, but Paul encourages Philemon to see him differently now. This is a reminder that faith changes how we see and treat others.

When we follow Christ, we are part of one family. This means that no matter someone’s background, race, or status, they are our brother or sister. Welcoming others into our lives with kindness and love reflects the way God welcomes us.

This reading challenges us to think about how we treat the people around us. Are there people we avoid or judge because they seem different? Christ calls us to go beyond those barriers and to see each person as a child of God. This kind of love can heal divisions and create stronger communities.

The Cost of Discipleship

The Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C gives us a tough message about following Jesus. He tells us that discipleship means sacrifice. Carrying a cross was a shocking and painful image for the people of His time, but Jesus used it to show the seriousness of following Him.

Jesus is not telling us to literally hate our family or possessions. He is saying that nothing can come before Him—not our family, wealth, or comfort. If we love anything more than Him, we cannot fully follow His path. This is a hard teaching, but it is a call to be completely committed to God.

Discipleship is not about living life as usual. It is about making choices that put Jesus first, even when it costs us something. We are challenged to think about what we might be clinging to that keeps us from fully following Him. If we are not ready to make sacrifices, we risk starting something we cannot finish.

This Gospel asks us to reflect deeply on our priorities. Are we truly committed to the path of Christ, or are we holding back? Jesus invites us to trust Him and to let go of anything that keeps us from walking fully in His way.

These reflections help us think about how we can live out the teachings of this Sunday’s readings. By turning to God’s wisdom, treating others as part of His family, and making sacrifices to follow Jesus, we can walk more faithfully on the path of discipleship.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust Your wisdom above our own understanding. Teach us to welcome others with love and to see them as part of Your family. Give us the courage to follow You, even when it means making sacrifices. May we always put You first in our lives. Amen.

• What areas of your life do you need to entrust more fully to God’s wisdom?
• How can you welcome others as part of God’s family in your daily life?
• What sacrifices might God be asking you to make to follow Him more fully?
• Are there things in your life that you love more than Jesus? How can you change this?
• How does the first reading challenge you to seek God’s wisdom in your decisions?
• What does it mean to carry your cross in your daily life?
• How does putting Jesus first affect your relationships with family and friends?
• What might you need to give up to follow Jesus without hesitation?
• How can you show others that they are loved as part of God’s family?
• Do you sometimes rely too much on your own understanding instead of asking for God’s guidance?

These music selections reflect the themes of the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C by focusing on discipleship, trust in God, and the call to follow Jesus. Some songs highlight the cost of following Christ, encouraging us to let go of attachments and commit fully to His path. Others inspire us to seek God’s wisdom, welcome others as part of His family, and remain faithful even when faced with challenges. The music varies from reflective and prayerful to uplifting and encouraging, supporting the call to walk with Jesus in every part of life.

• Be Thou My Vision by David Arkenstone & Kathleen Fisher
• Christ Be Our Light by Bernadette Farrell
• Come, Follow Me by Gael Berberick, Barney Walker, & Kevin Keil
• I Am Yours – Consume Me Completely by Trevor Thomson
• Glorify Him by Your Life by Lorraine Hess 
• I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
• In Christ There Is No East or West by Mavis Staples
• In Every Age by Janèt Sullivan Whitaker
• In Every Age, O Lord – Psalm 90 by Craig Colson & Kristen Colson
• I Will Choose Christ by Tom Booth
• King of My Heart by John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan
• Lay It Down by Matt Maher
• Lord, Reign in Me by Brenton Brown 
• O God, for You I Long by Bernadette Farrell & St. Thomas More Group
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past by Amy Nobles
• Psalm 90: In Every Age, O Lord by Bob Hurd
• Revive Us, O God by Jesse Manibusan
• Take My Life by Passion
• The Summons by John L Bell
• Unless a Grain of Wheat by Bernadette Farrell
• We Belong To You by Trevor Thomson
• We Walk by Faith by by Marty Haugen

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections for their liturgies and consider how they connect with the message of the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Share your own song suggestions or experiences with these themes in the comments. Your input can help others enrich their worship with meaningful and inspiring music.