23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – How well have you grown in your Spiritual Growth

Experience from September 4 - September 10, 2022

A. Supply the needed information in your Religious Involvement (see the given example).

a. Type of Religious activity: Sunday Service

b. Date and time: September 4 at 9:30 to 11:30 am
c. Means of Participation: Actual
d. How did you participate? Been gone with the congregation
e. Where or which platform? FBCFI Bahingawan, Km5 La trinidad.

B. REFLECTING and LIVING the PASCHAL MYSTERY:

1. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” In this
week’s gospel (Lk 14:25-33), Jesus continues to lay out the reality of what it means to follow
him. When a disciple makes a decision to follow Christ and eventually give up the pur suits of this
world to center life and love to him, that can be scary especially for family members who have
expectations and assumptions based on their own experiences. Jesus uses metaphors of an
architect making calculations and a king planning for a battle. In each of these situations, Jesus
makes the project that massive projects take intentional foresight. If we are to align our lives with
the work of Christ, we have to take stock of what it will affect in our life, and, to that end, who
might be hurt by our decision. Following the gospel may not be understood by everyone. We
have to be aware of how following Christ will alter our own desires and comfort. Jesus doesn’t
want us to bite off more than we can chew, or expect too much of ourselves without preparation.

In your own experience (and context), what do you think is the hardest and most difficult part
about following Christ? List down two (2) and elaborate in not less than five (5) sentences.

1. Persecutions
They say when someone persecutes you for being a Christian or a follower of God, you are very
Blessed. We are persecuted by our families, friends, and the people around us the moment they
notice the change in our hearts and actions. And being persecuted is not easy, we might feel
being left out by our own peers because we are not the same as before. Sometimes, the devil
uses the mouth to discourage us, and people to make us think that being a Christian, who praises
and lift their hands up to worship, is shameful. But the Lord said to cast all unto him and it will all
be better and focus on following him.

2. The Temptations

it really is true that the more we worship, the more temptation comes. As believers of Christ, we
are being tested, just like in school, and cheating is not allowed because God can see it all. We
may not notice, but every one of us experienced laziness to go to Church because the rain
suddenly poured, late because of traffic, and many more. That is how God tests us if we really do
live with his words. If we pass, expect the next level of testing will be harder.
2. The cross is an image of complete self-gift. Jesus gives himself totally for us through his
death on the cross. We, too, are called to share the gift of ourselves, even when we might not
literally be called to die for our faith. We practice self-gift when we give out time to others,
listening to them attentively instead of checking our phones. We practice self-gift when we make
decisions that benefit of others instead of ourselves. We practice self-gift when we recognize that
we do not exist as isolated individuals and all of God’s creation does not revolve around
us. Indeed, let us follow Jesus’ command to carry our cross after him that we might low the joy
that comes in living for others!

In what ways to do you practice complete self-gift as Jesus did? List down four (4) practical
ways following the themes given inside the parentheses: (Copy the phrase then complete
it).

1. I practice self-gift when I spend time with my Family and have a talk with them and not
constantly playing and looking at my phone.

2. I practice self-gift when I donate, give and pray for the needy.

3. I practice self-gift when I pick-up and throw trash that is not properly disposed even if
it’s not mine.
4. I practice self-gift when instead of idling with my phone and staying in bed, I will go to
Church.

C. CREATIVES.

How ready are you to pay the cost of discipleship (following Jesus) by doing works of justice, by
sacrificing reputation and advancement, and advancing the cause if the disadvantaged? Today’s
gospel provides both encouragement and challenge.

Compose a modern haiku on the theme of “the cost of discipleship.” Set your work in a creative
and appropriate backdrop.

“Let your face shine upon your servant;

and teach me your laws.”
Ps 119:135