Daily Gospel Reflection
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November 6, 2024
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.”
For most of my life, I didn’t think Jesus really meant the words in the gospel today. Surely, I could follow Jesus and have everything I wanted and more, just so long as I don’t become too attached to things! I didn’t understand then that whatever we possess also makes a claim of possession on our hearts.
During my time at Notre Dame, I met people who took Jesus at his word and truly renounced all of their possessions in favor of living in solidarity with the most marginalized in our society. They were inspiring (and radical) compared to my previous experiences. I jumped in and lived as a Catholic Worker in Houston and befriended some Catholic Workers in South Bend.
Their joy and witness to simplicity, while having so few lightly held possessions, showed me that giving up material things makes space in our hearts for greater generosity and justice. There can be enough resources for everyone in our world to thrive if we aren’t taking more than we need—it turns out we don’t need too much! Through practicing simplicity myself, I’ve found that when my hands are empty of possessions, they are free to create, repurpose what I have, and receive generosity. I am rarely lacking in anything.
If I take Jesus at his word in today’s gospel, I need to evaluate my possessions. How much of our common resources should I take in a world where some have nothing? Do I need several winter coats when some people in my city are at risk of freezing to death without one? How much property should I aspire to own in a city where some families have no place to sleep and no hope of owning a home one day? What do I need to renounce in favor of being a disciple of Jesus? I pray we may each discern wisely the call of renunciation in our lives.
Prayer
Christ our King, you know well that our spirits are willing to follow you, but we are often overwhelmed by other desires. In your great love, send your Holy Spirit to drive out all that separates us from obeying your will. May we always see in you the way, the truth, and the life that leads to heaven. Give us the courage to help lead our brothers and sisters to eternal happiness with you. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Today, the Church in Ireland celebrates the Feast of All the Saints of Ireland. This is something of a regional version of All Saints Day, honoring the many saints and scholars of Ireland. It is a reminder to us of a rich heritage of Catholic faith that is rooted in Ireland, that grew across the sea with the many Irish immigrants who traveled here, and has blossomed in the American Church.
The official litany used in the Irish liturgy for this feast concludes with a prayer asking God for an increase in grace to all of “us who celebrate the memory of all the saints of our island.” Just as on earth, the Irish people rejoiced to “be one with them in race, so in heaven, may we deserve to share with them an inheritance of bliss.”
This stained glass image of St. Patrick stands in a reading room in the Hesburgh Library. Other great Irish saints whose stories have been told here include St. Brigid of Kildare, St. Laurence O’Toole, Patrick's driver, St. Odran, St. Kieren of Saighir, St. Angus the Culdee, the great explorer St. Brendan, and St. Columba.
Ireland has a particularly privileged place at the University of Notre Dame, and the University has important ministries in Ireland, including Teach Bhríde and the Newman Centre for Faith and Reason. Let us pray with the saints of Ireland today for their intercession for their country, which has such a special relationship with our University.
All the Saints of Ireland, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!
