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, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
REFLECTION
"Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."
A hyperbole is defined as "exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally." In this Gospel Jesus uses very strong examples such as "hate your father and mother" to help us understand perfect discipleship.
But I have to say, I've met people that put their families above everything and everybody, even above God.
When we neglect spiritual duties because of family, it is, in some way, a form of idolatry. One example would be youth sports events that fall on the weekends. Many families stop going to Mass, and instead follow their child's team during the season dismissing spiritual duties and life.
Sometimes, family can become a self-contained entity. Where the only people we interact with are our family members, and neglect socializing or including others in our lives.
As children, we learn to respect our parents. As parents, we go through lengths to protect our children. We need to be careful to not idealize and idolize them at any point.
To help with this, we need to spend time praying as a family, but also doing charitable/volunteering projects together as well.
Did you know that if we pray 5 decades of the rosary as a family, (under the usual circumstances), we gain a partial or plenary indulgence? *
Our Lady of Fatima asked us to pray the rosary for peace. Can you imagine all the graces our family will receive from it if we pray it together? She, the Virgin Mary, can also help us be better disciples of Jesus if only we ask this of her.
We are not alone on this road towards God. Thankfully, we have Our Mother, the Angels and the Saints to aid us. And the sacraments of reconciliation and holy communion to bring us closer to God. How beautiful it is when we do it hand in hand with holy friendships here on earth as well as in Heaven.
Salve Maria:
God bless you for writing.
The Lord did not use hyperbole. He meant exactly what He said. Take up your own cross daily and follow Him, He meant it literally.
Pax Christi