November 4

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

First Reading

PHIL 2:12-18

My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia

1 PT 4:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,

for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

LK 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Give a Mass Offering

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.


The Lord is my light and my salvation.
— from Psalm 27

Readings & Reflection

San Carlo Borromeo adora il Crocifisso - Morazzone San Carlo Borromeo adora il Crocifisso / Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, Source

Renunciation of material wealth, following Christ and carrying your cross, putting God before everyone and everything else:  these are the instructions Jesus proclaims in our gospel reading this morning. At the root of these ideas, we find our charge in the Cross. The cross, in which true salvation lies, leads us on the path of letting go of our exaltation of material possessions, teaches us to do our best to love those around us because we know the self sacrificing love of God, but most importantly we are challenged to take up our cross each day, no matter how heavy. Each of us has our own cross to bear, and sometimes the burden may seem unbearable. 

Reflecting on this, I am drawn to the poem “Footprints,” often depicted with an image of a single set of footprints along a seashore. The poem describes a person who sees two pairs of footprints in the sand, one of which belonged to God and another to him or herself. At some points the two pairs of footprints dwindle to one. Troubled by this, the individual asks God why he was alone during these times. God’s response is that he was not alone, but was carried in His loving embrace in those moments. The message is clear. Christ carries or accompanies us through the difficult times in our lives. We are not alone when on the difficult path. Even the Savior had help on His journey to Calvary. As part of our own faith, we are called to take up our cross and rid our lives of any diversions from doing so. What is keeping you from taking up your cross today? Reflect on how God carries you in the midst of trials and sufferings. 

Fr Matt Rawson

  • Read the story of how Saint Charles Borromeo took up his cross and followed Christ.


Would you like to receive Readings & Reflections, and a link to join us for Mass? Subscribe to The Daily Bread newsletter.