Daily Catholic Lectio
Sun, 7 September ‘25
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 9:13-18. Philemon 9-10, 12-17. Luke 14:25-33
Counting the Cost, Living the Call
A famous architect was once asked how he began his projects. He replied: “I start with the end in mind. I picture the completed building, then I count the cost of every brick and every beam.” Without planning, the project would collapse halfway.
Jesus in today’s Gospel uses the same logic: no one builds a tower without first calculating the cost, and no king goes to battle without measuring his strength. Discipleship too requires foresight, planning, and above all, surrender.
1. Seeking God’s Wisdom for the Journey
Scripture: The Book of Wisdom asks: “Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends?” (Wis 9:13). Left to ourselves, we falter; but the Spirit of God teaches us the path.
Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 1785) affirms that in moral decisions, we must seek guidance in prayer, Scripture, and the gifts of the Spirit.
Reflection: Life often feels uncertain. We do not know tomorrow’s burdens. But Wisdom tells us: what is heavy for us becomes light when the Spirit guides. Counting the cost of discipleship is not only a matter of human planning—it is trust in God’s wisdom.
Pastoral Application: Before major decisions in family, vocation, or career, do I seek God’s wisdom in prayer? A disciple does not walk blindly, but walks by the light of God’s Spirit.
2. Love that Transforms Relationships
Scripture: In his short letter to Philemon, Paul pleads for Onesimus, a runaway slave. Paul asks Philemon to receive him “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother” (Phlm 16).
Church’s Teaching: Vatican II (Gaudium et Spes 29) teaches that every form of discrimination is contrary to God’s will, for all are equal in Christ.
Reflection: The Gospel is not an idea but a new way of seeing people. In Christ, old labels—slave, master, rich, poor, insider, outsider—are transformed into the dignity of brothers and sisters.
Pastoral Application: In our families and communities, do we see people by their labels—status, caste, or failures—or as beloved children of God? True discipleship changes how we treat one another.
3. Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Scripture: Jesus says: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:27). Discipleship demands detachment: even family ties and possessions must not outweigh Christ.
Church’s Teaching: Lumen Gentium (42) reminds us that all Christians are called to holiness through the way of the cross—love that is willing to sacrifice.
Reflection: Jesus is not glorifying suffering, but inviting us to weigh our attachments. What prevents me from fully following Him—possessions, pride, reputation, fear?
Pastoral Application: To be a disciple is not a “side activity”; it is a costly choice. Like the architect, we must calculate: Am I ready to surrender my life to Christ, knowing that in losing, I will gain?
Conclusion
The Book of Wisdom reminds us to rely on God’s Spirit to guide our choices. Paul shows that discipleship transforms relationships into bonds of love and equality. Jesus challenges us to count the cost of following Him, embracing the cross as the path to true life.
Like the architect who begins with the end in mind, we too must look toward the Kingdom, ask for wisdom, love as brothers and sisters, and surrender all to Christ. Then we will discover that what seems costly is in fact our greatest treasure.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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