The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 7, 2025

Summary Mother Suzanne addresses Jesus' extreme words in Luke 14 about discipleship, where he calls followers to "hate" family and give up possessions. She explains that Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize that following him must be our highest priority - we must love him more than anything else. Being a disciple isn't something we put on and take off like a hat, but a complete way of life that transforms how we see and love others. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 14:25-33 Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions." Artwork: Take Up The Cross, by George Samuel