November 4, 2026
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo
Gospel: Lk 14:25-33

Today is Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo. The recently published Roman Missal tells us: Saint Charles Borromeo (1538–1584) was born into a noble family at Arona, on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy. His uncle was Pope Pius IV, which ensured his rapid promotion within the Church. Although he was not ordained until 1564 when he became Archbishop of Milan, he was created Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede at the young age of twenty-one. He zealously applied the teachings of the Council of Trent to his diocese, establishing seminaries and schools, and renewing the spiritual life of the clergy. During the plague of 1576, he was active in the care of the sick.

Today, the Scripture passage from the Gospel of Luke presents to us the words Jesus spoke to those who were following Him on His journey to Jerusalem. Let us continue to reflect.

We often resemble those crowds who followed Jesus, choosing to follow Christ for various reasons and based on various purposes. Among us, some do so for the sake of this faith, hoping to earn a good reputation in this world; others hope to obtain free food from the Church; and still others seek higher positions within the Church so as to satisfy their own selfish desires.

In fact, all that we hold onto now is based on frail human nature and the worldly attachments we cannot let go of. All these things are constantly devouring our love for God and the enthusiasm we had when we were first baptized into Christ. At that time, we often had infinite longing and aspiration for the heavenly homeland. But soon, the enemy of the human soul—the devil, like a roaring lion, prowls around seeking someone to devour (cf. 1 Pet 5:8)—often uses people similar to us and all evil thoughts arising from our flesh to prevent us from approaching God. When we want to take up our cross and follow Christ, it attempts to hinder us from attaining holiness, just as it tempted Christ in the beginning (cf. Lk 4:1-13). As a result, although we have received Baptism, we live like those who do not yet know Christ, living in our own worlds, gradually distancing ourselves from God, from the Church which Jesus Himself founded upon Peter (cf. Mt 16:18-19), and from the shepherds who constantly offer sacrifices and prayers to God for the salvation of our souls. We often live in a state of bargaining with God.

Today, let us imitate the virtuous example of Saint Charles Borromeo, no longer following the guidance of our disordered desires and passions, but following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us entrust ourselves wholly and build up the peace of Christ in this changing world.

Preserve in the midst of your people,
we ask, O Lord, the spirit with which you filled
the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo,
that your Church may be constantly renewed
and, by conforming herself to the likeness of Christ,
may show his face to the world.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica