COUNTING THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Homily for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Texts: Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 1:9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33

A young man once approached his parish priest and said, Father, I want to be a disciple of Christ, but I also do not want to lose my comfort or face any difficulty.” The priest smiled gently and replied, “My son, discipleship is like buying a pearl of great price. It costs you everything, but in the end, it gives you more than you ever imagined. If you want cheap discipleship, you will never know the richness of Christ.

That is exactly the message of today’s Gospel (Luke 14:25-33). There, Jesus speaks about the demand and cost of discipleship. He says, if anyone wants to follow Him, he must be ready to renounce father, mother, brothers, sisters, even his own life. At first glance, this sounds harsh. Does Jesus want us to hate our families? No. In Semitic language, the word “hate” here means “to love less” or “to put in second place.” What Jesus is teaching is that nothing - no relationship, no possession, not even our life - should take priority over Him. The true disciple is one who makes Christ the center of everything.

Jesus further explains this radical demand using two parables: the parables of the man building a tower and a king going to battle. Both parables illustrate that no serious undertaking begins without careful planning. Just as a builder calculates the cost of materials and a king assesses the strength of his army, so too must a disciple weigh the demands of following Jesus. Discipleship is not cheap or casual. It requires foresight, sacrifice, and perseverance. To follow Jesus is to embrace the cross daily, intentionally, and with trust. Without this wisdom, we risk starting the journey but never finishing it.

The first reading reminds us that such discernment is only possible with God’s wisdom: “Who can know God’s counsel… unless you have given wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from on high?” Human reasoning alone cannot grasp God’s ways. To choose Christ consistently, we need divine guidance. Wisdom teaches us to prioritize what lasts beyond this world, not what fades with time. Wisdom teaches us that clinging to worldly security - money, status, even family expectations - can prevent us from experiencing the deeper freedom of belonging fully to God.

The Psalmist puts it so beautifully: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” To number our days is to live with eternity in mind, recognizing that discipleship may be costly, but eternity with God is priceless. When we know life is short, we stop chasing shadows and start focusing on what truly matters - living in God’s will.

The second reading shows us a concrete example of what such discipleship looks like. Paul appeals to Philemon to welcome Onesimus, not as a slave, but as a beloved brother. That was a radical social demand at the time, overturning cultural and economic norms. But this is what happens when Christ takes first place in our lives: relationships are transformed, structures of injustice are challenged, and we begin to see others through the eyes of faith.

Dear friends, discipleship is not about comfort; it is about conviction. It is not about convenience; it is about commitment. Jesus is clear: “Whoever does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” This does not mean everyone must abandon their families or give away all their belongings. Rather, it means that we must hold everything lightly, placing nothing above Christ. 

Let us ask ourselves: when values or loyalties clash, when family or society pushes one way and the Gospel calls another, whom do we choose? Wisdom gives us the courage to put Christ first. May the Lord grant us the grace not to price anything above Him; rather, may we put Him first above all else and follow Him to the end.” Amen.