Sunday 7 September 2025 - The cost of discipleship

Sunday 7 September 2025

Today is Sunday the 7th of September, beginning the 23rd week of Ordinary Time.

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Take Up Your Cross’.

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me

Whoever would save his life
Will lose it
Whoever loses his life for me
Will find it

If anyone claims to worship God
Let him give all away
Take up his cross
Follow me

Whoever would save his life
Will lose it
Whoever loses his life for me
Will find it

What would it profit a man
If he gains the whole world
And forfeits his soul
What would it profit a man at all
What would it profit a man
If he dies with a barn full of silver and gold
What would it profit a man at all

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 14: 25-33

Now large crowds were travelling with [Jesus]; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
In today’s passage, Jesus speaks plainly about the cost of being his disciple. What do you think Jesus is trying to convey to his followers? How do you react to the challenge of these demanding words?

Jesus uses a building project as an example of discipleship. How does this example speak to you? What is Jesus longing to construct in your life?

Jesus speaks about letting go of both possessions and relationships. Which of these feels more difficult for you to loosen your grip on? Why is this?

What would you like to say to Jesus in response to his words in this passage? Say it now.

As you hear the passage a second time, which word or phrase captures your attention? Stay with this.
Luke 14: 25-33

Now large crowds were travelling with [Jesus]; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
In these closing moments of prayer, ask for God’s help to let go of all that holds you back from following Jesus.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
World without end
Amen