Readings: Philippians 2:12-18, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Luke 14:25-33
“Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying: ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)
With adequate preparation, we can be confident we will succeed in any venture—those who fail to plan plan to fail. Before you begin, make sure you have the end in mind. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus warns us against the error of failing to finish well.
In his book, “The 48 Laws of Power”, Robert Greene proposes three laws alongside Jesus’ teaching. 1) Law 15: Crush your enemy totally. Who is this enemy? The devil. Do you want to fight him? Then, be prepared to fight to the end. Never give up, because he won’t. Avoid loose ends. Leave nothing to chance. Put on the whole armour of Christ.
2) Law 29: Plan all the way to the end. No building engineer goes to the site before the architect finishes the design. You will never get there if you cannot see the end (if you have no vision or clear picture of where you are going). Faith is having a map, and the reward of sustained faith is reaching your destination.
3) Law 35: Master the art of timing. Jesus asked: “Who would start a building without first estimating the cost?” Before starting any project, ask: “Is this the right time? Have I saved enough? Am I ready to face the trouble from building contractors, vendors, workmen, local touts (agberos) and government officials?” This law brings us to the question Jesus wants us to ponder: “Am I ready to pay the price to achieve my goal of getting to heaven?”
There are generally three phases of any venture (marriage, business, academics, career development, etc.). 1) Excitement Phase: The beginning (honeymoon) is pleasurable. It is a phase of small wins. For instance, you start a new business, and your first job earns you more money than you ever dreamt. This is a small win, but it looks big to you. Assuming you have arrived, you splash it all on friends and parties instead of reinvesting (saving for the rainy days).
2) Sacrificial Phase. This is the longest and driest phase. This is where we pay the price in sorrow, tears and blood. Nothing seems to be happening in this phase, and the desire to quit is highest. This is where many Christians give up, businesses fold, and marriages break. Resist the urge to quit. Just because you cannot see any light doesn’t mean there is no light at the end.
3) Harvest Phase: This is the last and sweetest phase. This is where we exchange our crosses for crowns. This phase brings big wins and can’t be reversed. After 60 years of marriage, some couples become inseparable, their love unshakable. The harvest phase for Christians is heaven, the perfect unity with God.
You may have been born into a Christian home, received baptism as an infant, attended a missionary school, etc., but you must carry your cross to remain a Christian. God must be first. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father or mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
If being a Christian does not inconvenience you, you are not behaving like Christ. If it does, carry your cross in silence. St. Paul tells us in today’s first reading: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish amid a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Phil. 2:14-15).
St. Charles Borromeo was born on 2 October 1538, into a noble family. At just 12, he dedicated his life to the Church. Known for his honesty, he retained only enough money for his education and gave the rest to those in need. Despite a speech impediment, he excelled academically, studied at the University of Pavia, and earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. When he was 23, his uncle, Pope Pius IV, called him to Rome, made him a cardinal-deacon, and assigned him important duties.
Borromeo was a passionate reformer. He prioritised clerical education by establishing schools, seminaries, and colleges. In 1576, during a severe famine and plague in Milan, Borromeo used his own wealth and even went into debt to provide daily food for thousands of people. His dedication never wavered, even when he faced assassination attempts and resistance from others. Later in his life, Borromeo worked to counter heresy in Switzerland by founding the Collegium Helveticum. Unfortunately, he fell ill and died in 1584 at the age of 46. The Church beatified him in 1602 and canonised him in 1610.
St. Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of bishops, catechists, and spiritual leaders.
Let us pray: Preserve, O Lord, in the midst of your people, the spirit with which you filled the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo, that your Church may be constantly renewed and, by conforming herself to the likeness of Christ, may show his face to the world. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Philippians 2:12-18, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Luke 14:25-33)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu