First Reading: Philippians 2:12-18
Therefore, my dearly beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only when I was present but much more now in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to His good pleasure. And do all things without murmuring and questioning, that you may be blameless and sincere children of God, without reproach, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Holding forth the word of life to my glory on the day of Christ, because I have not run in vain nor labored in vain. Yes, and if I am to be poured out as a sacrifice upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all. And for the same reason you also rejoice and congratulate with me.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Alleluia: First Peter 4:14
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
Great crowds were going with Him, and turning He said to them: If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has what is needed to finish it, lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
So likewise, everyone of you who does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple.
Reflection
Jesus does not hide the price. A big crowd is following Him, but He turns around and says - if you want to follow me, I must be first. More than father, mother, family, even more than your own life. And you must carry your cross.
He gives two pictures. A man wants to build a tower - he must first sit down and count the cost. A king going to war - he must first see if he can win. Discipleship is not excitement for a day, it is a whole life decision to let go of everything that competes with Christ.
That sounds heavy, but Paul tells us we are not alone. It is God who works in you, both to want it and to do it. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Even if you are insulted for Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests on you. So you can wait for the Lord with courage.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are my light and my salvation. Help me to be honest about what holds me back and to put you first. Work in me the will and the strength to follow you. When the cross feels heavy, keep me from complaining. Teach me to let go of what I cling to, so I can truly be your disciple. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
