Over the years we have learnt that anything worth doing is going to be challenging, difficult and in some cases really tough. That is why the ‘worth’ or rather the value of it, is the sense of accomplishment, the victory won! Through the blood, sweat and tears figuratively or not. Often enough when we look back at the beginning of it all, we will recall just how reluctant we were to even take up the challenge. After weighing the pros over the cons and counting the costs it often did not add up. But we decided to give it a shot nonetheless. So then how is our call to discipleship any different?
We know for fact that discipleship in Christ Jesus is going to be very challenging, difficult and very tough if not tougher than most challenges that we face in our lives! Our Lord Himself has said so, and when he said to us ‘take up your cross and follow me’ it was not a suggestion but a call for us to do. Great as the challenge is, greater still the reward! What greater reward is there than that of eternal life with God our Heavenly Father. The peace, love and joy of living to the full in His love now and forever! St Paul experienced this truth in his life and therefore could say with utter conviction of faith in our Lord that he would gladly lay down his life for his brethren. For he faced all the challenges of carrying his cross head on; to obediently follow his dearly beloved Lord and God, even unto death.
Make me a disciple after Your own heart Lord. I want to do Your Will. Amen
St Charles Borromeo pray for us….
First reading
Philippians 2:12-18 ·
Work for your salvation, for God is working in you
My dear friends, continue to do as I tell you, as you always have; not only as you did when I was there with you, but even more now that I am no longer there; and work for your salvation ‘in fear and trembling.’ It is God, for his own loving purpose, who puts both the will and the action into you. Do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life. This would give me something to be proud of for the Day of Christ, and would mean that I had not run in the race and exhausted myself for nothing. And then, if my blood has to be shed as part of your own sacrifice and offering – which is your faith – I shall still be happy and rejoice with all of you, and you must be just as happy and rejoice with me.
Gospel
Luke 14:25-33
Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple
Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’
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