💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 4 💖

First Reading - Philippians 2:12-18 

Gospel - Luke 14:25-33

We all know that important decisions in life come with a cost. Building a house requires time, effort, and resources. Beginning a new responsibility requires commitment and sacrifice. Even love demands that we sometimes put aside our own wishes for the good of another person. We cannot achieve something meaningful without being willing to give something of ourselves.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks clearly about the cost of following him. He says that anyone who wishes to become his disciple must be ready to put him above every other attachment, carry the cross, and renounce all possessions. At first, these words may sound difficult, even disturbing. Does Jesus want us to abandon our families? Does he want us to reject everything we own? What does it mean to follow him in this radical way?

Jesus is not teaching us to hate our families or to despise the good things of life. Rather, he is asking us to love him above everything else. Even our most precious relationships and possessions must not become more important than our relationship with God. When Jesus speaks about carrying the cross, he reminds us that discipleship is not simply about receiving blessings or finding comfort. It also involves sacrifice, faithfulness, and the willingness to remain with him when the journey becomes difficult.

Jesus illustrates this through two examples. A person who wants to build a tower first calculates the cost to see whether he has enough to finish it. Similarly, a king preparing for battle considers whether his forces are sufficient. Both examples teach us that we must take our commitment seriously. It is not enough to begin enthusiastically; we must also be prepared to persevere.

The same is true of our Christian life. It is easy to follow Jesus when our prayers are answered, when life is peaceful, and when our faith brings us consolation. But what happens when following the Gospel requires us to forgive someone who has hurt us, speak the truth when lying would be easier, stand up for someone who is treated unjustly, or remain faithful when we receive no recognition? These are the moments when the cost of discipleship becomes real.

In the first reading, Saint Paul tells the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, because God is at work in them, enabling them to desire and accomplish what pleases him. This is an important balance. Jesus calls us to make a serious commitment, but he does not leave us to accomplish it by our own strength. God is already working within us, giving us the grace to grow in faith and live according to his will.

Saint Paul also urges the Christians to do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that they may shine like lights in the world. This connects beautifully with the Gospel. Carrying our cross does not mean living with a bitter heart or constantly complaining about the sacrifices we make. It means learning to surrender ourselves to God with trust and allowing our lives to become a witness to his goodness.

Sometimes the greatest sacrifice is not something dramatic. It is the daily decision to be patient with a difficult person, to serve without expecting thanks, to let go of resentment, to remain honest when dishonesty would benefit us, or to continue doing good when we feel discouraged. These ordinary acts of faithfulness are part of carrying our cross and following Jesus.

Dear friends, the question is not simply whether we have begun following Jesus, but whether we are willing to continue following him when it demands something from us. What attachments, ambitions, habits, or fears prevent us from placing Christ first? What cross are we being invited to carry faithfully today?

Let us remember that the cost of discipleship is real, but so is the grace of God. We do not walk alone. The Lord who calls us also strengthens us. May we put Christ at the centre of our lives, trust in the work of his grace within us, and become lights in the world through our humility, faithfulness, and love.