How one of the shortest letters in the Bible packs a punch—and a priestly title.
This Sunday’s readings might sound like a clash of themes—Paul calling himself a “father” in one breath, and Jesus saying we must “hate” our families in the next. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a powerful message of priority, detachment, and Christian love.
Here’s what to look for in the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time:
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Wisdom 9 reminds us that we cannot figure life out on our own. If we struggle to plan our days, how can we possibly grasp God’s will without His Spirit guiding us?
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Philemon (yes, it’s pronounced several ways!) gives us Paul’s heartfelt plea for Christian mercy—welcoming back a runaway slave not as property, but as a brother in Christ. Fr. Meyer also points out Paul’s reference to himself as a spiritual father, a great biblical nod to the Catholic tradition of calling priests “Father” (1 Tim 1:2, 4).
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Luke 14:25–33 lays down the cost of discipleship. Jesus demands our everything—even our relationships, our comforts, and our possessions. It’s a radical invitation to renounce all and follow Him.
Fr. Jonathan Meyer ties it all together with reflections on detachment—from wealth, possessions, and even the need to “inherit” from our parents. He shares candid stories about running a 5K every day for a year (!), estate planning, and why wills can become spiritual stumbling blocks if we’re not rooted in eternal priorities.
“I am not going to be possessed by my possessions,” says Fr. Meyer. “What I have is a gift from the Lord, and I can bless others with it.”
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What’s one “possession” you might be called to let go of to follow Christ more freely?
