WC 08/09 SACRIFICE

We take this theme from the Gospel reading of the

23rd SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

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Kung Fu Panda - Po learns Kung Fu (Dreamworks)

GATHER

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Is there a skill or ability you want to get better at?

Have you ever given up on something because it was hard?

How do you hope people will remember you?

WORD

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Glory to you O Lord.

At that time: Great crowds accompanied Jesus, and he turned and said to them,

‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE

As we begin a new academic year, it’s a perfect time to think about the journey ahead and the person you hope to become. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and live in the moment, but every choice you make, big or small, is like adding a single brick to the foundation of your future. That foundation needs to be strong.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus gives his disciples a powerful, and at first, confusing message. It sounds like he's telling us that we have to hate our families if we want to follow him.

‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.'

(Luke 14:26)

This feels a bit harsh? But Jesus isn’t asking us to literally hate our families. He’s using a strong, dramatic way to make a point: to be a true follower, a disciple, our relationship with him must be the absolute top priority. It must come before everything else, even the most important relationships in our lives.

He follows this with two short parables. The first is about a man who wants to build a tower but doesn't first calculate the cost. The second is about a king who goes to war without first assessing his strength against his enemy. Both end in defeat and embarrassment. Jesus’s message is clear: discipleship isn’t a casual decision. It’s a journey that requires us to understand and accept the sacrifices involved.

Think about the person you want to become: a compassionate friend? A successful student? An honest and kind person? Becoming that person doesn't happen by accident. It requires daily sacrifices. It might mean turning off your phone to focus on your homework, choosing to be kind to someone even when it’s difficult, or missing out on what others are doing. These are the small costs you pay today to build the person you will be tomorrow. It’s the cost of building your "tower" and preparing for the "battles" of life.

Discipleship is an invitation to build a life of purpose and meaning, a life rooted in love. It’s a call to understand the cost and willingly pay it, knowing that the reward of becoming the person God created you to be is worth the sacrifice.

How does Jesus’ message challenge or comfort you?

MISSION

Choose one specific, small sacrifice you will make this week to help you move closer to the person you want to be.

Put your phone away at home to be fully present with your family.

Ask for a different seat in your lesson where you'll be less distracted.

Don't say anything about anyone you wouldn't like said about you.

COLLECT

Let us pray…

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption,

look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters,

that those who believe in Christ

may receive true freedom

and an everlasting inheritance.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.Amen.