WHAT A TRUE GIFT!
The love of God compels us to choose what will be first in our lives. To
place any relationship or anything else above God we, as Christians, know that
it is a form of idolatry.
The blunt, almost
shocking, words of Jesus in the Gospel have a great purpose. His point about
coming to spread division, even within families, is His way of stating
emphatically that His followers must not allow themselves to be influenced by
anyone who would turn them away from sound religion. What influences us today?
Our media, TV, someone who might want to push their own agenda or want you to
only see it their way, our government leaders, and so on. We need to truly
discern the truth and what we should believe in, growing in our knowledge of
self and our relationship with God. The love of God compels us to choose what
will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or anything else above
God we, as Christians, know that it is a form of idolatry. A true disciple
loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus. Jesus insists
that His disciples give Him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty
that is higher than even our families.
True love for God
compels us to express charity towards our neighbor who is created in the Image
and likeness of God. Jesus declares that anyone who shows kindness and offers
help to God's people will not lose the reward waiting for them. Jesus never
refused to give to anyone who asked for His help. As disciples we are called to
be as kind and generous as He is and to share the truth that comes from the
Gospel in a world that needs to hear it. We can truly transform the world into
truth by proclaiming the Good News daily. Jesus sets before us the one goal in
life that is worth any sacrifice, which is the will of God producing real life
and an ultimately and completely satisfying peace.
As we pray, today,
in the Responsorial Psalm, "We were rescued...we were freed. Our help is
in the name of the Lord" (Ps 124:7-8). Our heavenly Father does not need
our sacrifices, offerings, money, or blood. God wants sincerity of devotion and
love in our hearts!