Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

“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” (Luke 14:25). These words of Jesus seem shocking and harsh. Instead, Jesus is using a literary device called hyperbole, that uses extreme exaggeration to create a strong impression or emphasize a point; it’s not meant to be taken literally but rather to evoke emotion and action in the listener’s mind. 

We know these words are hyperbole because we know the overwhelming content of the Gospel message: Love. You and I are called to love God and neighbor, but when forced to make a choice, a disciple knows the answer. It is a total way of life that demands commitment, suffering, and sacrifice.

Scripture Readings for September 7, 2025

Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, and 17

Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Luke 14:25-33