11/4/2026 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 14:25-33
25 Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them,
26 “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.
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
28 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?
29 Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him
30 and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
31 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?
32 But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
33 In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
11/4/2026 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 14:25-33
Theme: The Cost of Becoming a True Disciple
Jesus speaks to the crowds following Him and explains that becoming His disciple requires more than enthusiasm. It demands commitment, sacrifice, careful consideration, and the willingness to surrender everything that prevents us from putting God first. Through this teaching, Jesus reminds us that following Him is not merely about beginning a journey but faithfully completing it.
B – Be willing to put God first.
Building a meaningful life begins with establishing the right priorities. Jesus teaches us that our love for God must surpass every other attachment. This does not mean neglecting our families or abandoning our responsibilities. Rather, it means loving God so deeply that our relationships, decisions, and ambitions are guided by His wisdom and goodness. Sometimes, following God requires us to choose what is right instead of what is convenient. It may mean forgiving someone who hurt us, telling the truth when lying seems easier, or helping someone when we would rather remain comfortable. When God becomes the foundation of our lives, everything else finds its proper place.
U – Understand the cost of commitment.
Every worthwhile undertaking requires sacrifice. A student must study to succeed, a farmer must cultivate the soil to harvest its fruits, and a builder must invest time and effort to construct a lasting structure. The same is true of discipleship. We cannot expect spiritual growth without prayer, service, obedience, and perseverance. Following Jesus will not always be easy. There will be moments when our faith is tested, our patience exhausted, and our convictions challenged. Understanding the cost does not mean becoming discouraged. It means preparing our hearts to remain faithful even when the journey becomes difficult.
I – Invest in what truly matters.
Jesus uses the image of someone building a tower to emphasize the importance of calculating the cost before beginning. In our lives, we must also examine where we invest our time, energy, talents, and resources. Are we building relationships rooted in love or allowing pride to create divisions? Are we pursuing success while neglecting our spiritual well-being? Are we accumulating possessions but forgetting compassion and generosity? Life is too precious to spend entirely on temporary achievements. Invest in kindness, strengthen your faith, nurture your relationships, and use your blessings to help others. These are treasures that give life lasting meaning.
L – Let go of what holds you back.
Jesus calls His followers to renounce everything that prevents them from becoming His disciples. Sometimes, the greatest obstacle is not a lack of resources but an unwillingness to surrender. Pride, greed, resentment, selfish ambition, and excessive attachment to material possessions can weaken our relationship with God. Letting go does not necessarily mean losing everything we own. It means refusing to allow anything to control our hearts more than God does. When we release these burdens, we create room for grace, peace, humility, and generosity. Surrender is not always a sign of weakness; sometimes, it is the beginning of genuine freedom.
D – Dedicate yourself to finishing faithfully.
A strong foundation is important, but a building must also be completed. Similarly, beginning our Christian journey is not enough; we must continue walking with Jesus through every season of life. Faithfulness is demonstrated not only during moments of inspiration but also through ordinary acts of love, especially when nobody is watching. We may stumble, become weary, or face unexpected challenges, but we can always return to God and begin again. With His grace, we can persevere and fulfill the purpose He has entrusted to us.
Ultimately, BUILD reminds us that discipleship is a lifelong commitment. Put God first, understand the sacrifices, invest in eternal values, let go of what hinders you, and dedicate yourself to finishing the journey.
May we never be satisfied with merely appearing to follow Jesus. May we become disciples whose lives reflect His love, whose decisions reveal His wisdom, and whose faith remains steadfast until the end.
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