Gospel Reflections for September 7 2025: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel for September 7 2025 – Luke 14:25-33

Gospel Reflections for September 7 2025

Ready for school and…

Each school day begins at home long before the school bell rings… 

There is the morning scramble to assemble all the stuff needed for the day: pens, pencils, notebooks, textbooks, and of course, that pesky homework! All of it goes into a backpack, and at that point, students might think they are ready for school …but they would be wrong.  

What went into the backpack were certainly necessary materials, but pens and pencils alone are not enough to make something good happen at school. What every student also needs to bring is what he or she carries inside themselves, their attitude, their character, and the virtues they cultivate every day.

An attitude of openness and curiosity makes learning easy and even fun. A character of courage helps you face difficult subjects or assignments, and the virtue of compassion ensures our students will assist others who might need help and even gently correct others who might be getting out of line. 

A virtue of integrity also ensures that all schoolwork is done honestly and on time. Taken together, our attitude, character, and virtues combine to instill wisdom and confidence, the most important subjects of all. 

A wise student is truly well rounded, having both their material things and their inner character ready and prepared. That student will be more confident and successful in life! 

Today’s Gospel describes a King who has all the stuff he needs to lead an army in battle but had not foreseen the character of the other side. He will lose. The Gospel also describes a person who has all the stuff he needs to build a tower but had not prepared the ground on which it would stand. It will collapse.  

It is not enough to have pencils, pens, or even money for school. It is what you bring to your school or project that is within yourself that is most important. Your daily cultivation of virtues such as hard work, honesty, courage, faithfulness, and optimism are what will ensure your future success anywhere. They are the solid ground upon which to build a happy life.

Everyone can adopt the same program for yourself every day. You will be confident and ready for school, or work, or any challenge …your whole life.

God Bless!

Fr. Dave