In our gospel for today our Lord is using very strong language in explaining what it means to be his disciple and follower. He says, “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." (Luke 14:26) Whenever I hear the Lord say this, I ask myself, "Does Jesus really mean that I have to hate my family?" Putting this into perspective, the Lord is using an extreme example to get his point across. Of course, he doesn't mean to actually hate our family. What He is saying is that He must be loved first and foremost. Family and friends, as important as they are, are not to take priority over our love of Him. Nothing is to get between our love and service as followers of Jesus Christ. This is a hard thing to accept and to do. But we must remain focused on our Lord and Savior and our responsibility as His followers.
Jesus goes on to say, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27) He tells us this, knowing that putting Him first in our lives will mean facing difficulties and problems with those who we love. Unfortunately, sometimes those people in our lives (families and friends) may not accept or understand our focus on being a follower of Jesus Christ, and all it entails in living out a Christian life. That's where our cross may enter into our lives. So, we need to pick up our crosses and attempt to follow Jesus to the best of our abilities. While doing this we are called to pray for those people in our lives that are important to us that they may come to know and accept Jesus as their savior.
As we go throughout this day, let us examine our priorities: is Jesus first and foremost in our lives? Or do we turn to the Lord only when we need him, thus putting him in second place in our lives?
Let us turn to Jesus always, in good times and bad times and say, "Jesus, I trust in thee."
