Our Gospel for today, Sunday, is from Luke 14:25–33. This passage speaks about the cost of discipleship. It reminds us that to truly follow Jesus, we must follow Him in everything. To follow Jesus means to carry our own cross and to live a life as He did. This is the heart of Luke’s Gospel.

So, what is the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
What cross are you being asked to bear as you follow Jesus?

The cross is a metaphor for being a true Christian. The only way to follow Jesus is to live a life filled with goodness, love, and sacrifice. This Gospel reminds us that being a disciple is not easy. We must do all things for the sake of our brothers and sisters, which means we must also learn to love others selflessly.

The strong words Jesus uses—like “hate father and mother”—are not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a way to emphasize the importance of establishing our priorities. At times, we may have to choose between the call of the Lord and the pull of our family or worldly attachments.

Jesus was speaking to large crowds who were drawn to Him. Yet, as He often did, He warned them against following Him impulsively or emotionally, without fully understanding the commitment involved.

We may ask:
“What do You ask of me, Lord? Let me know the cost.”

Jesus tells us that discipleship comes at a cost. Sometimes, I reflect on how I resist the difficulties that the Gospel presents, and in those moments, I ask God for help. To follow Jesus is to carry our own cross. He teaches that discipleship carries a high price. Those who want to follow Him must count the cost before signing on the dotted line.

We shouldn’t rush into the decision to follow Jesus; we need to consider the commitment. His grace and love are freely given, but following Him means taking up our cross. The cross symbolizes the trials, humiliations, and hardships that come with being a disciple. The road may not be easy; it may not lead us to glory immediately, and there will be obstacles along the way.

Yet, when we faithfully fulfill our duties and begin to witness the transformation in others and in ourselves, we can truly say:
“We did it.”

We all have sacrifices to make in following Christ. The sincerity of our discipleship is revealed through acts of love, generosity, and dedication to others, even in difficult circumstances. The cost of love is sacrifice—offering ourselves for the good of another. This is the way of the Lord.

In simple terms, Jesus wants the large crowds to understand the real cost of true discipleship. Loud declarations of faith or outward religious practices are not enough. To follow Jesus requires our unwavering allegiance to Him and full obedience to His will.

Being a disciple of Jesus comes at a great cost, and Jesus compares it to the tedious and expensive task of building a tower. Discipleship means making Jesus our top priority.

In a world where commitments are often shallow and distractions are everywhere, this passage calls us to reassess our priorities and deepen our faith. Jesus does not offer a path of ease; instead, He offers a call that demands full allegiance and courageous sacrifice—a call that ultimately leads to peace and eternal life in God’s Kingdom.

In essence, Luke 14:25–33 challenges each of us to seriously evaluate our willingness to give everything in order to follow Christ—to carry our cross without reservation and to count the true cost of discipleship before fully committing to His way.

Have you ever truly thought about what it means to follow Jesus?
It’s not just about going to church on Sundays or saying a quick prayer before meals. It requires a deep, personal connection with Him—one that goes beyond mere religious observance.

Are we ready to surrender everything—our time, our possessions, our dreams—to Him?

Today’s Gospel invites us to make Jesus our top priority, to follow Him by doing the will of God, and to carry our own cross daily.
May the Holy Trinity help us to do this. Amen.