September 4 - Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Hating our own life

First Reading  Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29
Humble yourself and you will find favor with God

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm68:4-7,10-11
The just rejoice and exult before God.

Second Reading  Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24
You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

Gospel Reading
Luke 14:1,7-14

We have yet to comment on the phrase “hating our own life”. This is justan extension of the earlier part. Jesus wants our lives to be lived in totaltruth and love. Our lives are not to be determined and manipulated byattachments, desires, ambitions or fears and anxieties which can become verymuch part of ourselves. We are to live in total freedom. “None of you can be mydisciples unless he gives up all his possessions.” It is the ability to let go,even of health and life itself. Any aspect of a person or anything that lessensthat freedom to follow truth and love is to be “hated” and transcended. Today'steachings are addressed to people who have not yet made the option fordiscipleship but are considering it. It reminds Luke's Christian readers of thechoice they have already undertaken.