DAILY- HOMILY

November 7, 2018 – WEDNESDAY, 31ST Week in Ordinary Time

Green.

Phil 2: 12- 18 / Lk 14: 25- 33

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Phil 2: 12- 16

Therefore, my dearest friends, as you always obeyed me while I was with you, even more now that I am far from you, continue working out your salvation "with fear and trembling." It is God who makes you not only wish but also carry out what pleases him. Do everything without grumbling, so that without fault or blame, you will be children of God without reproach among a crooked and perverse generation. You are a light among them, like stars in the universe, holding to the Word of life. I shall feel proud of you on the day of Christ on seeing that my effort and labor have not been in vain.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Lk 14: 25- 30

One day when large crowds were walking along with Jesus, he turned around and said to them, "If you come to me, without being ready to give up your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross cannot be my disciple.

"Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost to see whether you have enough to complete it? Otherwise, if you have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."'

REFLECTION

In the first reading Paul assures us that, though we work out our salvation "with fear and trembling," we do so knowing that "it is God who makes us [you] not only wish but also carry out what pleases him." Discernment of spirits becomes my lifestyle, aware that I live in God's loving presence

In the Gospel reading Jesus tells us that the following of Christ demands that we learn to bear our own crosses as Jesus did and that we be ready to give up whatever or whoever hinders our following of Christ. The follower of Jesus should be ready even to give up family and family ties as may be required in his service and following of Jesus.

If I choose to follow Jesus, that choice must be expressed and lived in total commitment. Henceforth, I live as a son or daughter of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. The following of Jesus will mean different things in people's lives. As we wish for so many things, Jesus asks, "Am I not enough for you?"

The following of Jesus presupposes that we love him. How do I answer the Lord when he asks me, "Do you love me more than these?" (Jn 21: 15) What in my life hinders my generous following of Christ?

Have a good day!

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