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Today's Readings
Wednesday of the thirty first week of ordinary time
Philippians 2:12-18
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
Luke 14:25-33
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus isn't telling us to stop loving our family members, nor does he want us to reject them or disregard their feelings and their needs. The original Greek word used here, which we translate as "hate" actually means "love less." To be Christ's disciples, we have to love him more than anyone else. Our personal relationship with God is our top priority.
Nor is Jesus telling us to empty our houses and bank accounts to give everything to the poor. Rather, he's warning us to not let possessiveness get in the way of our relationship with him. If we have something we can share and we see someone who needs it but we cling to it, we are not clinging to Jesus who has come to us in the form of that needy person.
Do you care more about possessing the approval of others than God's approval? If so, you're not following Jesus. Do you possess a destructive habit or pattern? It's probably filling a hole in your life, because you haven't brought Jesus into it. I once had a friend who smoked cigarettes because his parents did, even though they suffered and died from smoking-related diseases. Although he considered himself to be pro-life, he refused to quit and slowly killed himself, because it made him feel "closer" to Mom and Dad.
What's cluttering your relationship with God? Anything that we hold onto because it seems important, if it's not helping us grow closer to God and if it can't be used for his purposes, it's worthless junk and it gets in our way. It's meaningless even when we give it great importance.
What if the priest asks for increased donations? Is it easy for us to give more, or is ownership of the money getting in the way of our trust in Jesus? Today's first reading tells us that in everything we do, we should do it without grumbling. Yet we grumble when the pastor asks for an increase in donations. We grumble when a pesky relative needs our help. We grumble when the sun rises and we face the day's workload. We grumble when we can't work and someone asks us to use our free time in a parish ministry that we've never done before.
Grumbling is another attachment that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Has complaining ever really helped? And what kind of a witness is this? Does it uplift the people who must hear it? Pay attention to the grumbling you do today. Unless you're saying it to some sort of counselor, it's probably not helping you grow emotionally or spiritually. Jesus endured the worst pain of all and yet he never uttered one word of complaint!
"For God is the one who, for his good purpose and plans, works in you and through you. Do everything he asks you to do, without grumbling or questioning." When our friendship with Jesus is truly our highest priority - not just when it's convenient or feels good, but all the time - our trust in him is perfected and we follow him wherever he goes, without questioning his purposes or complaining about his plans.
Jesus conditions for us today are actually a contradiction on how other preachers preach Jesus. Jesus is preached by many as someone who is a cure all God and saviour. They do this for the reason that this is the best way for them to immediately attract followers.
But the reality of it all is this: We have to sacrifice our comfort zones. And we have to leave behind us our worldly priorities so that we would be able to faithfully follow and serve Jesus.
Are you ready to sacrifice your own comfort zone and leave behind your worldly priorities in favour of Jesus?
Lord Jesus, I cannot know what the future holds. To say "yes" to you for a lifetime can be frightening. Do I have what it takes? Help me to understand that your love and grace will sustain me when I am weak. Help me to renew frequently my love for you in the smallest of tasks. Let me keep my eyes focused on you and not on the sacrifices. You have been so good to me. I desire to follow you until you call me to be with you in heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.
Today by God's grace, prayerfully reflect before making any significant decision today: "Lord, what would you have me do?" The Lord be with you. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
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