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.”
REFLECTION
"Without hating his mother and father"
Sometimes I can directly reach God through His writings, no problems. All is understood, life is serene and the daily summit is easy. Other times, I find myself lost in the jungle, not understanding the Gospel and not knowing which way to go. I can get stuck on a phrase such as "without hating his mother and father" and I have no idea where to go in my journey when I read this. Certainly it should not be taken literally and, therefore, I need to reflect deeper for its meaning. How do I understand the word hate?
Hate can be intense hostility and wishing someone malice. Or it can be a profound dislike without any malice but distancing from the person or object hated because there is a loathing. Jesus loved His Mother and made sure she was taken care of by St John. In Matthew 12:48, Jesus replied to the man, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Jesus indicated that his spiritual connection with those who follow him is more important than his biological family.
I am not to hate my parents, nor leave them homeless, destitute, and walk away from them. The cost of battle is not to leave my loved ones in neglect. My parents, who introduced me to God, cannot outmatch Him in His merciful love and kindness. They taught me about God with the intention of my heart being transformed and molded into His.
Will I be able to finish off what my parents began? We would be considred foolish if we abandoned the foundation given us for a successful plan. We are not heading this earthly battle. God will lead us to victory. I need to willingly give my life to Him without counting the cost of handing over my entire self. Who will be first in my life? Family, whether it be mother or father, husband or wife, sister or brother or son or daughter will always be second next to God. Anything else would be pure idolatry. We are to love and care for our family, all who God put in our lives but we are to love God over all. He is always first.
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