After talking about the narrow door and the need to struggle to enter into it, Luke also records Jesus' saying on the requirements of discipleship. The requirements are not new, they are found here and there stated in the Gospel of Luke. What is new is that Jesus warns those who think of following him to think it through first. There are requirements to be met; discipleship is not for the happy-go-lucky.

The reading for the 22nd Sunday Year C presents Jesus in a dinner setting. This is the only time in Luke where Jesus' subject matter is the behavior of guests and hosts. What is the relationship of his advises about good behavior at the dining table to his overall teachings on the kingdom? Read the articles indicated below and and use the rest of the article as a guide for reflection

• Workshop: Dining with Jesus
• Mag-aral Tayo: Sa Hapag Kainan Kasama si Jesus

We have heard a certain group of people saying that salvation is unconditional so long as one accepts Jesus as Lord. The thing, however, is that when the phrase "so long" is added, salvation is no longer "unconditional" as supposed. More, there are certain texts in the New Testament which makes us think twice about the statement "salvation is unconditional". One such text is Luke 12:22-30. It begins with a question about salvation. Jesus answers, not only the question, but other unexpressed questions as well.

Read the relevant article here and use the following as guides for reflection

The present article continues the one entitled "Endure Your Sufferings as Discipline (Hebrews 12:1-13). We have posted a Sentence Flow of Hebrews 12 showing how vv. 18-29 should be treated separately from the preceding vv. 1-17.

This year, the 20th Sunday of OT (Year C) coincides with the feast of the Assumption of Mary. The Assumption of Mary is a defined dogma of the Church, and given formal expression in Munificentissimus Deus (November 1, 1950) by Pope Pius XII. It is a dogma, that is, the clear formulation of a belief already existing in the Church and is proclaimed "in a form obliging the Christian people to an irrevocable adherence of faith" (CCC 88). How the dogma was defined is narrated by the Pius XII himself, a summary of which I have posted here.

Read the relevant articles about the liturgical readings for the day in the following posts and use the rest of this page as a guide for reflection

After his summary retelling of the faith of the ancients, the author begins to exhort his listeners to Christian living. The imperatives in this section are Christological in nature with some sapiential flavor (parent-children relationship). The exhortation is suspended in vv. 18-29 -- a meditation on the status of the Christians who have approached the altar of God's mercies in Zion and not the mountain of Sinai1 -- and is continued in Hebrews 13:1-21.

Outline of Hebrews 12:1-13

Hebrews 12:1-13 can be outlined thus:

• Rid yourselves of every burden and sin(1)
• Persevere in running the race
  • Fix your gaze on Jesus (2-6)
• Endure your trials as discipline (7)
  • God is treating you as sons when he disciplines you
  • If you are not being disciplined, then you are bastards (8 )
  • Our parents disciplined us, so why not let ourselves be disciplined by God? (9-11)
• Strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees (12)
• Make straight paths for your feet (13)

1. 1. This section actually recalls Hebrews 10:19-23 which is evoked by the passage through the phrase "you have approached..."

"Seek first the kingdom of God" may begin to sound like a truism unless its meaning is refreshed in the disciples' mind. In Luke 12:32-48, Jesus helps his disciples take this command to heart.

Read the relevant articles below and the use the rest of the page as your guide for reflection:

The Magnificat is so called because of the Latin translation of v. 47 which begins with the word "magnificat." Verses 46 and 56 include it within the context of Mary's visit to Elizabeth. Specifically, with v. 46, the Magnificat becomes a response to the question of Elizabeth in v. 43. I divide it into four stanzas:

• Stanza 1 -- vv.47-48a
• Stanza 2 -- vv. 48b-50
• Stanza 3 -- vv. 51-53
• Stanza 4 -- vv. 54-55

In different ways, Jesus taught his disciples that nothing can be weightier in this life than the Father and His kingdom. This idea applies even to the matter of wealth. Read the following articles and use the rest of this material as a guide for deepening your understanding of the text.

• Workshop: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
• Mag-aral Tayo: Ang Mayamang Hangal