Daily Readings - Wed Nov 04 2020
Philippians
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.
Luke
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 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.