Homily for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, delivered in St Peter Chanel Church, Tannum Sands, Qld.

"What man indeed can know the intentions of God? Who can divine the will of the Lord...?
Who could have learnt it, had you not granted Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from above? Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened and men been taught what pleases you, and saved, by Wisdom." (cf. Wis 9:13-18).

"In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. Make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever? Show pity to your servants." (cf. Ps 90:3-17).

"This is Paul writing, an old man now and, what is more, still a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became... if all that we have in common means anything to you, welcome him as you would me." (Phil 9-17).

"Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple... none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’" (cf. Lk 14:25-33).

Artwork: "The Institution of the Eucharist" by Nicholas Poussin, (c. 1640).