Charles Borromeo, Bishop Obligatory Memorial
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13-14
Alleluia: First Peter 4: 14
Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33
First Reading: Philippians 2: 12-18
12 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.
13 For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.
14 And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations;
15 That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom you shine as lights in the world.
16 Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ, because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and congratulate with you all.
18 And for the selfsame thing do you also rejoice, and congratulate with me.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
1 The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Alleluia: First Peter 4: 14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33
25 And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them:
26 If 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.
27 And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:
29 Lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him,
30 Saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him?
32 Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.
Reflection
Jesus does not conceal the seriousness of discipleship. To follow him means carrying the cross and placing our relationship with him above every other attachment, even those that are most precious. His strong words about family and “his own life” reveal that nothing can claim the first place that belongs to Christ. The builder and the king teach us to face this choice honestly: discipleship cannot be a passing enthusiasm; it requires a steady, deliberate surrender of the whole self.
Yet this demanding call is not carried by human strength alone. God is at work within us, giving both the desire and the power to live according to his will. That grace enables us to persevere without murmuring, to remain sincere in a crooked world, and to shine with the word of life. The psalm gives the heart of such courage: the Lord is our light and salvation. Even when faith brings misunderstanding or insult, the Spirit of God rests upon us. We can therefore count the cost without fear, renounce whatever competes with Christ, and wait for the Lord with a courageous heart.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, be the first love of my life and the light by which I choose my path. Give me honesty to recognize what keeps me from following you freely, and courage to place every possession, desire, and attachment in your hands. When carrying the cross becomes difficult, work within me the will and strength to remain faithful. Keep me from complaining or turning back, and let your Spirit rest upon me when I am misunderstood for your name. Help me shine quietly through sincere obedience and hold firmly to your word of life. Amen.
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