Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 5 November 2014 
Meditation: Philippians 2: Rejoicing Together
12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.
17-18 Even if I am executed here and now, I’ll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ’s altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout’s fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don’t feel sorry for me.
31st Week in Ordinary Time
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
Talk about mixed messages! Isn’t this the same Paul who, in the very same letter, confidently told the Philippians, “the one who began a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6)? Doesn’t today’s reading contradict that message, as if we might be in danger at any moment of losing our place in heaven? Should we be worried, or not?
It’s important to understand that there is an essential difference between the kind of fear that we feel as fragile, fallible human beings and the awe and anticipation that we feel as we contemplate the salvation that Jesus has won for us. The Bible refers to both as “fear,” but one cripples us with doubt, while the other energizes us to live in confidence and joyful hope.
Imagine your life in Christ as a strong, sturdy foundation—as though you were standing on a wide rock in the middle of the ocean. Jesus has already redeemed you, so you don’t have to earn your place on that rock! In fact, you couldn’t earn it, even if you wanted to. The cross is the only thing powerful enough to bring about your redemption, and Jesus has already offered himself on it. So if you feel anxious that you are undeserving of his love or that you haven’t done enough, don’t worry. God isn’t interested in what you haven’t done. He only wants to know what you will do now that he has redeemed you!
The “fear and trembling” that Paul speaks of is not the quivering of a mouse hiding from a cat! It’s the readiness of an athlete waiting for the starting gun. God wants his great gift of redemption to impel you every day, to move you into the world with the great good news of his love.
So imitate Paul. Move beyond your imperfections, and press forward with the goal of building the kingdom. “Work out” your salvation every day by letting the joy of your salvation work its way out of your heart and into the world.
“Lord, I am in awe that you have rescued me from sin and welcomed me into your kingdom. Fill me with zeal for your ways. Show me how I can honor you as I give my life to you!” Amen!
Psalm 27: A David Psalm
1 Light, space, zest—
    that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
    afraid of no one and nothing.
4 I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet.
13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
    in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
    Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
    Stay with God.
Luke 14:Figure the Cost
25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
28-30 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
31-32 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
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