Today's Gospel is Luke 14: 25-33: “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.” Today’s Gospel is very challenging. It leads us to reflect about counting the cost of following Jesus, based on examples of building a tower and going to war. To be His disciple means to carry our crosses, to prioritize Jesus above all and to reject anything that could take God’s first place in our lives. We are faced with having to make decisions throughout our lives. Some easier than others. But making decisions is unavoidable. It’s part of our maturing process. What this Gospel is really inviting us to is a life of complete freedom and detachment from the things of this world that is passing away. We are to “detach” in order to “reattach to God”. It frees us for God and to love our neighbor wholeheartedly. God who is forever faithful will make up for our shortcomings by providing us with the necessary graces we need to fulfill His will (which is to love). He is trustworthy and we can rely on Him for that.
The real question is, how free is our heart? What do we treasure most? This Gospel invites us to reflect on how free are we in all aspects of our relationship with God, such as in our prayer, relationships and possessions. Is anyone or anything taking God’s place? Am I able to let go and trust that God will provide and show me a greater and better way to love? Prayer is a moment when we offer ourselves and our time to God. Is anything blocking this, such as patterns or habits that need healing, unhealthy relationships or excessive possessions? We live in a market driven society so it’s not surprising many things can distract us from God. Jesus’ first discipleship seems harsh: “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple” (14:25). But to follow Jesus requires an undivided heart for a covenantal relationship. And no relationship lasts without loyal commitment.
