Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 7, 2018
First Reading: Philippians 2.12-18
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.14Do everything without complaining or arguing,15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe16as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.18So you too 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 evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.4One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: 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 seek him in his temple.5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.7Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.8My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.11Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 14.25-33
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything 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.