Daily Readings - Wed Nov 04 2020
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 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.