Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Reading 1: Philippians 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.”
Meditation
Brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us give thanks to God for the gift of a new day.
Today, the Word of God invites us to examine the inner dispositions that guide our actions. For in the Christian life, it is not enough to perform good deeds; it is also important to consider whom we are doing them for and the attitude of heart with which we do them.
In the passage from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians that we are reflecting on, the Apostle urges us to work out our salvation with fear and reverence, while reminding us that God Himself accompanies us on this journey. One particular exhortation draws our attention: we must do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that we may be blameless children of God who shine like lights in the world.
The Christian life is not a succession of practices carried out out of habit, obligation, or fear of being judged by others. It is not enough to do good; we must also learn to do it with a willing, free, and joyful heart. Some Christians attend Mass, give alms, help others, take part in community activities, and fulfil their responsibilities. Yet sometimes, they do these things more out of fear of being judged by their families, friends, or other members of the community than out of love for God.
A question therefore deserves to be asked: if nobody were watching us, if nobody praised us, would we continue to serve with the same enthusiasm? Indeed, sometimes we help others while making them feel how much it costs us. We accept a responsibility, but constantly complain about it. We make a sacrifice, but keep reminding others of everything we have done. That is why Saint Paul urges us not to grumble. Complaints, grumbling, and constant arguments can cast a shadow over even the finest deeds. The service may be performed, but the bitterness that accompanies it can hurt others.
This does not mean that we can never feel tired or go through difficult times. There will be days when we lack courage and when our responsibilities seem too heavy. It is precisely in those moments that we must remember that we are not alone, because God Himself is at work within us. He does not simply ask us to act for Him; He also gives us the grace and strength we need to accomplish what He expects of us.
Let us now ask ourselves these questions: When I help others, do I do so wholeheartedly, or do I allow my dissatisfaction to show? How do I react when Christian responsibilities become tiring or demanding? What sacrifice or effort do I need to learn to undertake today with greater love and trust?
Let Us Pray
Lord God, our Father, forgive us for our grumbling, our complaints, and all the times we have allowed our bad moods to overshadow our calling to serve. Lord, teach us to do everything with love, generosity, and joy. May our prayers, sacrifices, gifts, acts of service, and commitments be sincere expressions of our love for You.
When we are tired, renew our strength. And when serving becomes difficult, remind us that it is You who gives us both the desire and the ability to act.
Grant us the grace to shine like stars in the world through the quality of our actions.
Amen.
Intercession
Let us pray for those who serve with hearts that have grown weary, those who feel compelled to serve, and those who are discouraged by a lack of appreciation or encouragement. May the Spirit of the Lord rekindle in them the desire to work above all for the glory of God and the good of their neighbours.
Virgin Mary, intercede for them and for us!
Spiritual Exercise
Today, let us make an effort to control our grumbling. Throughout the day, let us pay attention to our complaints and negative reactions. Whenever we are tempted to grumble, let us pause for a few seconds and ask ourselves:
“How can I turn this situation into an opportunity to love God and my neighbour?”
BEBISSI Stéphanie (Community of the Disciples of the Living Christ)
