Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop, Wednesday of week 31 in Ordinary Time, Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares: “Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” These words invite us to recognize the Cross as the greatest expression of God’s love and the fundamental value of our discipleship. To value the Cross above everything else is to place the love of Christ above every other attachment, ambition, and personal interest. The Cross is not simply a symbol of suffering; it is the revelation of a love that gives everything without holding anything back. Jesus does not ask us to reject our families, responsibilities, or the goodness of life, but to love them in the light of His own total self-giving. Carrying our cross does not mean seeking suffering or accepting injustice passively. Rather, it means remaining faithful to love, truth, and goodness even when they demand sacrifice. Saint Charles Borromeo understood this profoundly. As a bishop, he embraced personal sacrifices, pastoral difficulties, and the dangers of the plague in order to serve the people entrusted to him. His life reminds us that the Cross becomes precious not because suffering is desirable, but because love makes sacrifice meaningful. Jesus also asks us to calculate the cost of discipleship, reminding us that following Him requires conscious and generous commitment. When the Cross becomes our highest value, success is no longer measured merely by what we gain, but by how faithfully we love. The Cross teaches us that the greatest achievement in life is not possessing everything, but being willing to give everything for what truly matters. Let’s reflect: Do I value the Cross of Christ above my personal comfort, ambitions, and attachments, allowing His self-giving love to guide my choices and give meaning to the sacrifices of my daily life?
Don Giorgio