Today we remember St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop,
who devoted himself to the Church and to the people.
My grandson doesn't have a clue.
Every time he shoots hoops,
the girl down the street shows up.
She asks to play.
She asks if he has a girlfriend.
His stepdad says, "She's cute.
Why don't y'all swap numbers?"
He says, "Why would I do that?
If she wants to play, she shows up."
And she does.
He still doesn't have a clue.
I don't want him to grow up too fast.
But today, Jesus gives me pause:
"Which of you wishing to build a tower
does not first sit down
and calculate the cost?"
Maybe my grandson knows
more than I think.
Maybe he's counting the cost
of a young man's choices.
To most of the world,
his choices seem too small to matter,
just a boy shooting hoops.
But St. Charles Borromeo counted the cost.
He gave his life to the Church and to the people.
Every choice, he laid before God.
Paul says,
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for God works in you both to desire and to do."
Every choice counts.
So carry your cross.
Offer each choice to God,
and let Him build the tower.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
you know the cost of every choice I make.
May I give my life to you
and to your people.
Take each decision, large or small,
and make it count for your kingdom.
Amen.
St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us
