Daily Readings - Wed Nov 08 2023
Romans
8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of love and the cost of discipleship. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law. He writes that whoever loves their neighbor has fulfilled the entire law, for love does no harm to others. This passage emphasizes that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to live in a way that prioritizes the well-being of others above our own desires.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents a stark challenge to those who would follow him. He says that to be his disciple, one must be willing to "hate" even their closest family members and their own life, and to take up their cross. This does not mean literal hatred but rather a willingness to prioritize God above all else. Jesus uses the parables of the builder and the king to illustrate the need for discernment and commitment. Just as a builder calculates the cost of a tower or a king assesses his ability to go to war, we must be willing to renounce all that we possess and take up the cross if we are to be true disciples.
These readings are deeply connected. While Romans focuses on the transformative power of love, the Gospel emphasizes the radical commitment required to live out that love. Together, they call us to a life of self-sacrifice and devotion. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing love in our actions and relationships, even when it is difficult. It also means being honest about the costs of following Christ and being willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of our relationship with him. Let us reflect on whether we are truly living as disciples, bearing our crosses with faith and trust in God’s plan.