Homily – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

When I first began learning the English language, I occasionally used the word hate. When people heard me say it, they reacted with discomfort and reminded me that it is not a nice word to use. They suggested that if I wanted to express a strong negative feeling toward something – or even someone – the word dislike would be more acceptable.

After a few encounters like that, I became more conscious about choosing my words carefully. So much so, that when I heard someone, especially a child, use the word hate, I would correct them and tell them not to use it because it is not a nice thing to say.

Probably, this is the reason why I feel uncomfortable – if not extremely challenged – when listening to this week’s Gospel, in which Jesus states:

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple.”

How can we digest such a message of hate from the One whose primary mission is to constantly promote love – not only love for neighbours, but even love for enemies? How can anyone be His disciple under such a harsh condition?

If we take this statement literally, surely no one would ever want to follow Him. But this is actually a hyperbolic expression – an exaggerated way of making a strong point. To follow Jesus, one must prioritise Him above all else, including familial ties, which were considered the strongest bonds in His culture.

When someone must make a decision between following Jesus and pursuing other priorities in life, Jesus must come first, even in the face of challenges and suffering.

Furthermore, following Jesus is not a light-hearted commitment. It requires serious consideration, calculation, and discernment. The two analogies used in the Gospel help us understand this: A builder who begins to construct a tower without first calculating the cost would be considered foolish, as failure would be almost certain. Similarly, a king preparing to go to war must first sit down and analyse whether his army is strong enough to face the enemy.

In the same way, choosing to be a disciple of Jesus requires thoughtful preparation and a willingness to count the cost.

If discipleship is so “expensive,” then why should anyone even consider it? What are the benefits?

Perhaps Lady Wisdom gives us an answer. Human beings are so limited in their understanding – not only of earthly matters but also of God’s will and intentions.

“Who can know God’s counsel?
Or who can conceive what the Lord intends?
For the deliberations of mortals are timid,
and our plans are uncertain.
For the corruptible body burdens the soul,
and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind.
We struggle even to grasp things on earth,
and what is within our reach, we find with difficulty.”

There are so many limitations that prevent us from fully understanding ourselves – let alone grasping the will of God.

Yet, Lady Wisdom suggests that it is God who opens the way, so that humans may “make straight paths on earth,” understand His will, and receive the salvation He offers.

Is it not, then, through the person of Jesus, that we come to know ourselves better, discover God’s will, and be saved?

If that is true – is it not worth taking the risk of being His disciple?

By Fr Sang Ho