Why Grumble?

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Reading 1 Philippians 2:12-18

My beloved, obedient as you have always been,
not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For God is the one who, for his good purpose,
works in you both to desire and to work.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation
upon the sacrificial service of your faith,
I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia 1 Peter 4:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

November 4, 2026 // Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bisho

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Philippians 2:12-18

Reflect on the Word //

Meal planning, cleaning toilets, scrubbing the shower. Among all my homemaking duties, those three usually elicit a grumble from me. It’s not a matter of having the right tools for the tasks; it’s more like needing to apply a “just do it” attitude to my chores.

But I don’t often do them without a fuss. I’m annoyed that chores interrupt what I’d prefer to be doing, or what seems more worthwhile. This morning, for example, I wanted to pray quietly, but my son broke the silence telling me we’re almost out of milk, reminding me that I have a grocery list to write.

Being at peace with tedious tasks and interruptions is not easy, so I’m grateful for the reminder from today’s First Reading to do everything without grumbling (see Philippians 2:14). Whether it’s my meal planning, an unexpected call, or something more serious like an ill family member, the work to be done is an occasion to cooperate with God’s will. The interruptions are the work to which He calls me. As C.S. Lewis wrote to a friend: “The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day” (The Collected Letters of CS Lewis, p 595).

My grocery list shouldn’t be treated like an interruption. Feeding my family well is part of my vocation. All my chores are the work God asks me to do; if I believe that, there should be no reason to grumble.

Perhaps I should be more grateful to know His will so clearly!

As Saint Paul wrote, God is at work in us (see Philippians 2:13). Each chore, appointment, and unexpected situation which we consider an interruption offers us a chance to cooperate with His will. The less we grumble, the more we can lean into His grace and shine His light around us in all we do.

Relate to the Lord // Read about the life of Saint Charles Borromeo. Pray for the grace to work without tiring or grumbling, as he did.

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About Gina Fensterer

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Gina Fensterer is a wife and mother of six children. She is passionate about finding God in the ordinary moments of her vocation. She loves Adoration, praying with Scripture, long morning walks, and fitness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Read more by her here.