Homily for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Fr. Azam Vianney Mansha, CJM - STL

Today’s Gospel passage is a call for DISCIPLESHIP and the “heart of discipleship” is the CROSS of JESUS as He Himself said, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). Often, the cross is associated with “dying to oneself.” This is absolutely right, but we must also never forget that “carrying the cross” is a call to fulfill the SHEMA, which is the greatest commandment in the Sacred Scripture: Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) In other words, loving with our mind, heart and strength is to “carry the cross,” and that is, “ to live the Will of God in us.” Let’s do a simple exercise to understand the meaning of the “Sign of Cross” and SHEMA, the greatest commandment in the Scripture.

How do we make the sign of the cross? First, we raise our right hand and touch our head, which is an expression of “Lord, I love you with all my mind.” Secondly, we move our right hand to our heart, which is an expression of “Lord, I love you with all my heart.” Third and last, we move our right hand to the shoulder which is an expression of “Lord, I love you with all my strength.” And so, when Jesus says, “Carry your own cross,” it means to LOVE GOD with all your mind, heart and strength.

There are many definitions of the word “love,” but the best definition of “love” actually comes from my mother. When I was a child, my mother used to tell me, “Azam, do not come and kiss me all the time. Do what I tell you: clean your room, wash your dishes, etc.” It took me years to understand what she actually meant.

Through His condition for DISCIPLESHIP, which is to “carry your cross,” Jesus is actually instructing all of His disciples to use their minds, hearts and strength to follow God, and that is, to deny oneself and witness the Christian virtues in our daily lives. This gentle reminder is something that we all need from time to time!

Before I transferred to California last May 2022, I visited my family in Pakistan. I felt so blessed and I had such a joyful time with them. Just a few days before departing for the Philippines so as to get ready for my new mission here in San Diego, my younger brother, Amjad John, who had been sick for quite some time, joined our Lord (may his soul Rest In Peace). It was a very sad time for me. I was brokenhearted. There was a consolation, however, in that before his death, he was able to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick. He got to go confession with me and he received Jesus in the Eucharist just 4 hours before his death. My Christian belief tells me that he is now in heaven.

With the sudden death of my younger brother, I was thinking of extending my stay with my family. I shared this with my elder brother. After the funeral and Novena Masses for the departed soul of my younger brother, my mother called me to her room and asked me about the conversation I had with my elder brother. I told her that I was thinking of extending my stay. She hugged me immediately and cried. After some time crying, she told me, “Azam, do you remember what Jesus said? ‘Carry your own cross and follow me.’ He also said, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God’ (Lk 9:62). My joy is that you go and carry out your mission.” Her encouragement and reminder were so powerful for me that I did not entertain the idea of extending my stay in Pakistan anymore. I went back to the mission with peace, joy and strength.

Let us never forget that each one of us is called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ whether one is a student, a teacher, a widow, a nun, a deacon or a priest. Even being married or single does not change this calling. In the way of discipleship, there will be suffering and many obstacles. We must always keep in mind what Jesus advises us: to carry our own cross, and that is to LOVE GOD with all our minds, hearts and strength.

May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, intercede for us so that we may always carry our Cross to follow Jesus, and that is to LOVE GOD with all our minds, hearts and strength.