Reflection
What are you willing to “love less” to be a devoted follower of Jesus? Our Gospel today challenges us to understand the true cost of discipleship.
The Gospel passage opens with a Jewish idiomatic term that contrasts hate and love. To “hate,” in this instance, does not mean to scorn, but means to “love less.” Jesus teaches that we should not love our parents, our spouse, our children, our siblings, or even our own life more than God the Father, his Son, and his Spirit. Does this surprise or disappoint us? It shouldn’t considering the first and greatest commandment, to love God above all things. The greatest commandment is also the first cost of discipleship, putting God first in all things.
Putting God first in all things leads us naturally to the second cost of discipleship, namely, to take up our cross and follow Him. Discipleship is our apprenticeship to holiness, happiness, and eternal joy. When we strive to follow Jesus and seek His Will for our life, more grace and blessings come to us, more happiness and joy fill our days, and more Divine Love flows through us to others. Discipleship gives us an external focus on God and others.
Once we live life and see the world through the lens of the life of Jesus, we can fulfill the third cost of discipleship, renouncing our possessions as our own. Jesus uses two parables to illustrate the need to evaluate our possessions, both material and spiritual resources, before moving forward in a new life of discipleship. What part of our life is lacking the tools to succeed? How do we need to redeploy our resources of time and treasure? What God-given gifts and talents are we using in a way that serves ourselves instead of others?
In the Book of the Prophet Joshua we are challenged to become true disciples. “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods of your ancestors … and serve the LORD. If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, … As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Jos. 24:14-15) No matter where we are in our path of discipleship, it’s never too late to evaluate these three requirements (costs) and determine what life changes we need to make. Our God loves us and never abandons us.
Let’s join the household of Joshua turn to the Lord for help in becoming the disciple He’s called us to be.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
What part of your life do you need to “love less” today?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3238