Something to ponder

From Safari….

Two questions to ponder: who or what are the most significant people or things in your life? Spouse, friend, or family members?

Financial security? Recognition at work or in your field of expertise? Motorcycling, fishing, gardening, or card playing?

Those are a few responses to the first question. This question has as many answers as the individuals who respond.

The second question is more essential, are any of your significant things or people in your life more important than your relationship with God?

This is a question that has roots in today’s gospel. I find Sunday’s jarring ---hate your family, even your own life; pick up your cross; renounce all your possessions.

Accustomed to hearing passages where Jesus preaches a message of love neighbor and enemy, our passage today is shocking and eye opening. The Greek word translated as hate means to turn away from, to detach oneself from rather than animosity. For us hate is a deep despising of another. Even given the definition of detachment, the people in Jesus’ time, would have found his message hard to accept. In Jesus time, people did not conceive of themselves as individuals but rather found their identity and social standing from their family, or tribe. To cut oneself from one’s family was like losing one’s life. Jesus insists to be a disciple, one needs detach themselves even from family. When faced with a conflict of loyalty, we are to choose following Jesus.

Carrying ones cross has nothing to do with chronic illness, physical pain or conditions. It is rather the consequences of voluntarily following Jesus. This decision means sacrifice, exposure to risk, being ridiculed and rejected in order to follow Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus is costly ---- costly in terms of money, time, relationships, and priorities.

If we wait until everything is in place, will we ever be a disciple? A few weeks ago, we heard that the seeker is not strong enough to push the door open. As one writer notes,

“When we can finally admit the “I can’t,” then we are open to God’s “I can.” Discipleship is only possible if I rely on God’s strength.

Discipleship is absolute detachment from all else and total commitment to Jesus. The marks that define a disciple: pray daily, celebrate the eucharist, study scripture and the tradition, serve for the sake of others, share freely of time, talent, treasure, invite others, pass on the faith.

Our salvation is God’s gift to us. Our response expresses our gratitude or lack of gratefulness.

Fr. Ron