WHEN LOVE DEMANDS MORE: THE TRUE CHALLENGES OF FOLLOWING CHRIST. LUKE 14:25-35

At the end of today’s episode of the Gospel Jesus says: “he (she) who has ears to hear let him hear”. As we meditate on today’s Gospel message, may we open the ears of our heart to hear what the Lord Jesus is telling us in our various milieu of life.  

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus is outlining the conditions for true discipleship, and these conditions are indeed demanding. The language used here is somehow stark, and some may even find it shocking, as Jesus speaks of “hating” family in comparison to the love and dedication required for following Him. Some translations prefer using the expression “Preferring Christ to every other relationship”. To meditate on today’s passage is to grapple with its hyperbolic nature, a rhetorical tool meant to jolt the listener into a recognition of the seriousness of the commitment being asked.

Jesus is calling for a radical reorientation of one’s priorities and attachments. He is not advocating for literal hate, as that would contradict the message of love permeated throughout His teachings, especially since last week, when he explained to the doctor of law that the greatest of all the commandments is love of God, love of neighbor and one’s self, (Cfr Matthew 22, 36-40).  Rather, Jesus is using hyperbole to emphasize that the commitment to discipleship must come before all else, even the most cherished relationships.

To follow Jesus means that who we were, are, and want to be must be transformed. It requires a willingness to let go of our previous identities and plans, to be remade in the likeness of Christ. This is the reason why when Jesus chose the 12 Apostles, he gave each of them a new name, this signifying their new identity.  The discipleship Jesus speaks of is a path that leads away from self-centeredness and towards God-centeredness, demanding an ongoing process of self-denial, a daily taking up of the cross, a symbol of suffering and sacrifice.

This journey of transformation will inevitably affect one’s relationships with family and relatives. It may create tension, as the values of the Kingdom of God often stand in stark contrast to the values of the world. In this sense, discipleship can be sometimes isolating, yet it also redefines our belong to a Christian community, creating a new family bonded not by blood but by the spirit of God’s love.

In a world where God is often sidelined, to live Jesus’s invitation means to constantly swim against the current of mainstream culture. It means prioritizing what is often unseen (faith, hope, love, forgiveness, spiritual growth) over what is seen and celebrated by society (wealth, success, fame). The call is to be the “salt of the earth,” to maintain our distinctiveness as followers of Christ in a way that both preserves and flavors the world around us.

How can we live this invitation today?

I make the following suggestions:

• By engaging with the world from a place of deep-rootedness in Christ, bringing the values of the Gospel into every interaction and relation.
• By being willing to make difficult choices in favor of our faith, even when it comes at a personal cost.
• By continuously reflecting on our life choices and priorities, ensuring they align with the call to discipleship.
• By building and nurturing relationships that are based on the self-sacrificial love modeled by Jesus.
• By maintaining a communal life with other believers, which provides support and encouragement in a society that may not understand or value the demands of discipleship.
• By serving the least, the last, and the lost, living out the social implications of the Gospel in acts of justice, mercy, and humility.

May we allow Christ’s message to sink into the soil of our hearts, where they can unsettle our complacency and inspire us to live in a way that may not be easy, but is infinitely rich with purpose and grounded in eternal love. In this love, we can find the strength and conviction to embrace the demanding path of discipleship

 

LET US PRAY.

Gracious and Loving God,

We come before You with hearts open and spirits willing, yet aware of the gravity of Your call. In the shadow of Your teachings, we seek the strength to embrace the cross of discipleship, to put aside all that hinders our complete dedication to Your path.

Grant us, O Lord, the courage to re-examine our relationships, our desires, and our very selves, that we might find our true identity in You. May the bonds of family and friendship be strengthened, not weakened, by our commitment to walk in the footsteps of Your Son.

In a world that often forgets Your presence, help us to remember. In every moment of decision, guide our choices. When the allure of the world grows strong, anchor our hearts to the rock of Your love and truth.

As we strive to be the salt that retains its flavor, infuse our lives with Your grace that we might preserve and enhance the world around us with the love of Christ. May our lives bear witness to the hope that is within us, the peace that defies understanding, and the joy that comes from surrendering to Your divine will.

For the strength to carry our cross, for the vision to see Your Kingdom, for the joy amidst sacrifice, we pray.