“Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter, more than me is not worthy of me.”
The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or anything else above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give Him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or any relative.
Jesus said, He did not come to bring peace, but rather division. Some say, it’s better to go along with family members even if what they are saying or doing goes against what we believe in order to keep peace in the family. Such as attend an invalid wedding. Or lie about something going on in the family in order to keep peace. Yet, this is really a false peace. It may prevent arguments and fighting, but we won’t have peace with our conscience or peace with God.
But what about peace in one’s heart and peace with God. And what about the word of Jesus, “Whoever does not take up His cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.”
Our Lord sets before His disciples the one goal in life that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which leads to everlasting life, peace, and joy with God. Does the love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do?
As we prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, let us pray for the gift of courage, that we may stand up for Jesus, stand up for the Church, and stand up for what we believe. And always strive to do God’s will in all things, because if we put Him first, we will possess Him forever in heaven.
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