Daily Readings - Wed Nov 07 2018
Philippians
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Luke
25And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he 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.