Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 7, 2018
First Reading: Philippians 2.12-18
12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14Do all things without grumbling or questioning,15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.17Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.18Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.4One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!8You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek."9Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!10For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.11Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.12Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!14Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 14.25-33
25Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them,26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.27Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,30saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'31Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?32And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.33So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are called to reflect on the nature of discipleship and the commitment it demands. The first reading from Philippians reminds us that our salvation is not a passive endeavor but an active cooperation with God’s grace. St. Paul urges us to work out our salvation “with fear and trembling,” not out of servile fear, but out of reverence for the divine plan unfolding in our lives. He emphasizes that it is God who works in us, both to will and to act according to his good purpose. This passage invites us to embrace humility and obedience, recognizing that our efforts, though necessary, are only fruitful because of God’s grace at work within us.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark and challenging teaching about the cost of following Christ. Jesus says that to be his disciple, one must be willing to “hate” even family and life itself. This does not mean literal hatred, but rather a willingness to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. Jesus uses two parables—the builder and the king—to illustrate the need for discernment and commitment. Just as a builder must calculate the cost of constructing a tower and a king must assess his ability to go to war, so too must we consider the demands of discipleship. True discipleship requires surrender, sacrifice, and a willingness to carry the cross daily.
Together, these readings remind us that living as a Christian is not a superficial endeavor but a radical way of life. In Philippians, we see the transformative power of grace at work in us, enabling us to live as “lights in the world.” In Luke, we are reminded that this transformation comes at a cost. To follow Christ, we must be willing to let go of our attachments, our comfort, and even our own will. Yet, this surrender is not an end in itself but a means to true freedom and joy. As we strive to live out our faith, let us ask for the grace to embrace the challenges of discipleship with courage and trust in God’s providence.