Tuesday, 4 November
2025 – XXXI Week in Ordinary Time – St. Charles Borromeo
Mass Readings: Rom 12:5-16 | Ps 131 | Lk
14:15-24
Key Verse to Meditate: "I have bought a
piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets" (Lk
14:18).
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Today, the Church joyfully celebrates the feast
of Saint Charles Borromeo, a true shepherd after the Heart of Christ and a
luminous example of pastoral zeal, holiness, and reform. Born in 1538 into a
noble family in Arona, Italy, Charles renounced wealth and privilege to serve
God and His people. After his uncle, Pope Pius IV, appointed him as Cardinal
and later Archbishop of Milan, Charles devoted his life to implementing the decrees
of the Council of Trent, which sought to renew the Church in faith and discipline
after the Reformation.
He became a tireless reformer—reviving seminaries
for the proper formation of priests, restoring liturgical discipline, and
encouraging holiness of life among clergy and laity alike. During the plague
that struck Milan in 1576, while many fled the city, Charles stayed behind,
personally tending to the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the dying.
His deep compassion and fearless charity made him a living image of Christ, the
Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (cf. Jn 10:11).
Saint Charles was also a man of intense prayer,
fasting, and penance. His ascetic life was not born of pride but of love—love
for the crucified Lord, whom he sought to imitate in all things. He lived what
he preached: a faith rooted in conversion and expressed in humble service. His
motto, “Humilitas” (humility), became the foundation of his sanctity and
leadership. Indeed, he was a man of the Gospel—faithful to prayer, devoted to
the Eucharist, and compassionate toward the poor. May his life and example inspire
us to renew our love for God and zeal for souls.
The Gospel Reading
The parable of the great banquet in today’s
Gospel (Lk 14:15–24) beautifully echoes the mission and spirituality of Saint
Charles Borromeo. This parable parallels Matthew’s version (Mt 22:1–14), though
Luke places it in a different context—during a meal in the house of a Pharisee.
When a guest exclaims, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of
God!” (Lk 14:15), Jesus responds with a story that challenges complacency and
pride.
In the parable, a man prepares a great banquet and
invites many guests. When everything is ready, he sends his servant to
announce: “Come, for everything is now ready.” The servant symbolizes
Jesus Himself, who brings God’s invitation to His people. Yet, those invited
make excuses—some are preoccupied with business, others with possessions or
family ties (Lk 14:18–20). Their refusal reveals misplaced priorities and a lack
of openness to God’s grace.
In righteous anger, the master sends his servant to
gather “the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame” (Lk 14:21). These
represent those whom society overlooks—but whom God welcomes first. When there
is still room, the servant is told to go out again, compelling others from the
highways and hedgerows to come in. This is the radical inclusivity of God’s
kingdom—an open invitation to all, especially the humble and contrite of heart.
Through this parable, Jesus teaches that God’s
invitation to the heavenly banquet is universal, but it requires a
response. The chosen people’s refusal symbolizes those who reject God’s Word;
the new guests symbolize those who accept it with gratitude—the poor in spirit,
the repentant, the Gentiles, and all who heed the call of grace. In heaven’s
banquet, there is room for everyone because God’s mercy knows no bounds.
Saint Charles lived this Gospel in his ministry. He
recognized that the Church’s renewal begins with accepting God’s invitation—to
conversion, holiness, and service. Like the master’s servant in the parable, he
went out tirelessly to invite others into the banquet of faith. Through
catechesis, reform, and personal witness, he brought countless souls to Christ.
His life reminds us that holiness is not an abstract ideal but a concrete
response to God’s invitation each day.
Points for Personal Reflection
- Do I
take lightly God’s daily invitation—the call to conversion, love, and
deeper communion with Him?
- What
excuses keep me from responding wholeheartedly to His grace—comfort,
busyness, or fear of change?
- Am I
willing, like Saint Charles Borromeo, to bring others into the banquet of
God’s love, especially those who feel excluded or unworthy?
Excuses prevent us from embracing the
fullness of life that God offers. Let us pray that, through the intercession of
Saint Charles Borromeo, we may accept His invitation with open hearts, welcome
His grace, and find true life in Him. May we be renewed in our faith,
strengthened in service, and ever ready to lead others to the feast of God’s
kingdom.
