Add to favorites

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Reading 1 : Phiippians 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 : Psalm 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 Peter 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 : Luke 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.”

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a challenging and beautiful truth:
Holiness requires intentional effort, courageous surrender, and joyful perseverance.
• Paul calls us to shine as lights through obedience and purity.
• The psalm reminds us that God is our strength and refuge.
• Jesus teaches that discipleship demands total commitment.
The message is clear: To follow Christ is to choose Him above all — with courage, joy, and a heart ready to serve.

 Reflection for the Day

1. “God works in you both to desire and to work.” (Philippians 2)
   Paul’s words offer deep encouragement.
   Holiness is not a solo effort. God Himself is at work within us:
   • shaping our desires,
   • strengthening our will,
   • guiding our choices.
   Our part is to cooperate — to obey without grumbling, to serve without complaint, to shine without fear.
   Paul’s joy, even when “poured out as a libation,” reminds us that sacrifice offered in love becomes a source of joy, not burden.
2. “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” (Psalm 27)
   This psalm is a declaration of trust.
   When discipleship feels costly, when surrender feels heavy, when obedience feels difficult — God remains our refuge.
   He is the One who gives courage and teaches us to wait with hope.
   Holiness grows in the quiet places where we gaze upon His beauty and learn to rest in His presence.
3. “Whoever does not carry his own cross… cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14)
   Jesus speaks plainly and boldly.
   Discipleship is not half‑hearted. It is not casual. It is not convenient.
   It requires:
   • carrying the cross,
   • renouncing possessions,
   • placing Christ above every relationship,
   • counting the cost and choosing Him anyway.
   This is not harsh — it is freeing.
   Jesus invites us into a love so deep that nothing else can compete with it.
   Saint Charles Borromeo lived this truth boldly — reforming the Church, serving the poor, and giving his life for the renewal of faith.

Living This Word Today

Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Cooperate with God’s work in you.
   Let Him shape your desires and strengthen your will.
2. Choose courage over comfort.
   Trust the Lord as your light and salvation.
3. Embrace the cost of discipleship.
   Carry your cross with love and follow Christ wholeheartedly.
   Let today be a day of joyful surrender and courageous faith.

 Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, give me a heart willing to follow You completely. Teach me to carry my cross with love and to renounce anything that keeps me from You.
Strengthen my desire for holiness, fill me with courage, and help me shine as a light in this world.
May my life reflect Your joy, Your sacrifice, and Your unfailing love.
Amen.