Wednesday 4 November 2026 - Carry the cross

Wednesday 4 November 2026
Today is Wednesday the 4th of November, the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, in the 31st week of Ordinary Time.

As we prepare to pray with the cost of following Jesus, let your longing turn towards the Lord. Place your hope and trust in Him. Become still, and do not let your worries draw you away. Ask Him to teach you how to pray.

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Take Up Your Cross’.

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me

Whoever would save his life
Will lose it
Whoever loses his life for me
Will find it

If anyone claims to worship God
Let him give all away
Take up his cross
Follow me

Whoever would save his life
Will lose it
Whoever loses his life for me
Will find it

What would it profit a man
If he gains the whole world
And forfeits his soul
What would it profit a man at all

What would it profit a man
If he dies with a barn full of silver and gold
What would it profit a man at all

If anyone would come after me
Let him deny himself
Take up his cross
Follow me
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were travelling 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.
Today's Gospel contains both a challenging invitation and a practical wisdom. Jesus calls people to follow him wholeheartedly, yet he also encourages them to count the cost. As you begin this time of prayer, recall those moments when you became aware of Jesus' presence in your life. When have you sensed him calling you, guiding you, or inviting you to trust him more deeply? Take a moment to thank him for the ways he has led you thus far.

Jesus' words are not an invitation to turn away from those we love. Rather, they invite us to place every relationship within the greater horizon of God's love. Call to mind two or three important people in your life. How do these relationships affect your freedom to love and serve? Do they bring life, encouragement and growth? Or is there somewhere a greater freedom being asked of you?

As you listen to the Gospel a second time, stay with the images Jesus offers: the builder planning a tower and the king preparing for battle. Is there a project, decision, or challenge emerging in your life at this time? As you hear the passage again, what do these images say to you? Where might God be inviting you to pause, reflect, and place your trust more fully in him?
Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were travelling 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.
As this prayer comes to an end, speak with Jesus as you would with a friend. Tell him about the hopes, decisions, or challenges that are on your heart. What would you like to ask of him today? And as you listen in silence, what might he be inviting you to notice?
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
World without end
Amen