Tower and Troops

Greetings on this the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Wis 9:13-18b; Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17; Phmn 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33

Note: Writing while traveling using phone. Forgive the blips.

Towers and troops for battle are implements of war. Towers, offensive and defensive structures, give Advantage.

Troops bring about Acquisition.

These tools are the guardians of our possessions. First, we give up the impulse to fight then we can give up all possessions.

First Reading

Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends?
For the deliberations of mortals are timid,
and unsure are our plans. For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns. And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty.

Trusting the Lord is difficult for many. The wisdom writer reminds us we get it wrong most of the time, anyways. The Lord is able to aid us and bring success to our plans:

Plans to marry and raise families. Plans to share our bounty with others. Plans to be grateful for our success and rueful of our mistakes.

Responsorial Psalm

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Hear the psalmist give notice the Lord is faithful in every age and for every person, family, tribe and nation. The more we divert to war, the less we trust in He who is faithful in every age.

Second Reading

We are no longer slaves to the world. We prefer the slavery of love.

no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord.

Let your face shine upon your servant;
and teach me your laws.

Alleluia Verse

Gospel Portion

The first of all possessions is Tower and Troops.

In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus wants us to refactor the life, the weapons and who to trust.

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry