Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 4, 2020
First Reading: Philippians 2.12-18
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.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.4One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 14.25-33
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 invited to reflect on the nature of our commitment to God and the sacrifices that come with following Christ. The first reading from Philippians reminds us that our salvation is a work of God within us, but it also calls us to cooperate with his grace by living lives of obedience and integrity. Paul urges the Philippians to work out their salvation “with fear and trembling,” not out of servile fear, but out of reverence for the God who is at work in them. This passage emphasizes that our faith is not passive; it requires effort and dedication to live as children of God in a world that often opposes his will.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark challenge to potential followers of Jesus. He warns that discipleship requires a radical reordering of priorities. To follow him, one must be willing to “hate” family and even life itself. This does not mean literal hatred but rather an unconditional commitment to Christ above all else. Jesus uses the parables of the tower builder and the king going to war to illustrate that discipleship requires careful consideration of the cost. He is not asking for half-hearted followers but those who are willing to renounce all that they possess. This teaching underscores the seriousness of the Christian vocation and the need for us to evaluate our own commitment to following Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own lives. Are we living as “lights in the world,” shining with the truth of the Gospel? Or are we compromising our faith to fit in with the values of a “depraved and perverse nation”? The readings remind us that discipleship is not a part-time endeavor but a way of life that demands sacrifice and surrender. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to put Christ first, even when it is difficult? Am I trusting in God’s providence and grace to help me live as he calls me to live? May we embrace the call to radical discipleship, knowing that true joy and fulfillment come from following Christ, no matter the cost.