5 Nov 2025
What it Costs
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For 5 November 2025, Wednesday of week 31 in Ordinary Time, based on Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For 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.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
06 November 2025 @ 5:05 pm
I’m American and just recently learned about Guy Fawkes Day and the Gunpowder Plot. You are absolutely right to say that peace is the better way. But it’s also worth noting for context that the plot was born of years of serious persecution—legal and often bloody— of Catholics from Elizabeth I on. That English Catholics eventually regained a place in the country is testament to faith and perseverance. As a Yank, I heartily recommend “Faith of our Fathers: A History of True England” by Joseph Pearce for any others who want to learn more. Thank you Fr. Euan for the contemporary insights.