*REFLECTION FOR THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C* 

On this Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the readings present to us again the cost and conditions of discipleship as the prominent theme. 

   Jesus in the gospel (Luke 14: 25-33) requests His disciples to go beyond the normal human way of acting in order to remain true to their calling as disciples. It requires a complete change of mind, heart and soul. It demands total self denial and commitment to the way of the Master. 

   For the first reading (Wis. 9: 13-18), this above normal human approach can only be possible if God sends His Holy Spirit from on high since we cannot know God's counsel except wisdom is given. 

   Dear friends, the principle of "seek first to understand, then to be understood" as observed by *Stephen* *Covey* in his work _"The_ _7_ _Habits_ _of_ _Highly_ _Effective_ _People_ ", is relavant in the course of true discipleship. Listening and understanding what is required of us, will surely inform our mode of response. Have I taken out time to truly understand what is required of me as a true disciple of Christ? 

   I pray as we journey in life today, our change of attitude in mind, heart and soul, will make us acceptable to God like Onesimus (Useful/beneficial) is to his master Philemon in the second reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17). May we totally and radically recommit our lives to Christ in response to His loving mercy and the joy of eternal redemption. Have a happy and Onesimus-full Sunday!