Weekly Pastor's Corner

Twenty-Third  Sunday in Ordinary Time

09/05/26-09/06/26

This Sunday's Gospel from Matthew presents us with some of the most demanding words Jesus speaks about discipleship. He tells us that following Him requires more than admiration, good intentions, or occasional participation in religious life. It requires a willingness to place God at the center of our lives.

Jesus says, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." These words can sound severe, but they are ultimately words of love. Jesus is not asking us to seek suffering for its own sake. Rather, He is reminding us that genuine love always involves sacrifice.

The cross comes into every human life. We experience disappointment, illness, loss, loneliness, family difficulties, financial worries, and the burdens that come with caring for others. As Christians, we do not carry these crosses alone. Christ walks with us. The cross becomes, in His hands, not simply a burden but a path toward deeper faith and eternal life. Jesus also challenges us to examine what truly has first place in our hearts. We can become so

occupied with possessions, success, reputation, comfort, or our own plans that we lose sight of God. Yet none

of these things can ultimately give us what Christ offers. The Gospel asks us a simple profound question: What

is my life really centered upon?

To follow Jesus is to choose Him again and again - in our families, our workplaces, our friendships, our parish

community, and in the quiet decisions that no one else sees. It means choosing forgiveness when resentment

would be easier, generosity when selfishness is tempting, faithfulness when circumstances are difficult, and compassion when another person is struggling.

The Christian life is not a promise that we will never suffer. It is the promise that suffering does not have the final word. Christ has already gone before us on the road to Calvary, and He has opened that road to the Resurrection.

As we gather around the Eucharistic table this Sunday, let us ask for the grace to follow Christ faithfully. May we have the courage to take up our crosses, the humility to trust in God's providence, and the love to remain close to Jesus in every circumstance of life.

May the Lord help each of us to discover anew that the greatest treasure we can possess is not what we have, but whom we follow.

Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend

Thanks, and have a great week

God Bless,

 Fr. Joe