Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For many years I hated my parents and myself thinking that life was unfair and my brothers were treated better than me, and that my parents had too many kids, and many other stupid things. Jesus says in today’s gospel of Luke (14:25-33) that we should hate father, mother, wife and children, and even our very self, so what are we to believe? I thought we were supposed to love our neighbor, and even our enemy. Jesus is using a very strong word ‘hate’ and he means to hate the way we think our parents or our spouse should be; to hate the projection or the five year plan that I have of my life, and accept the reality of what is in front of me. Also to hate anyone or anything that prevents me from loving God.
To follow Jesus Christ is not just to live an admirable life or to imitate him. It means to be where he is, to do what he does. Like a small child with his father. Jesus is opening doors into ‘his life’ and granting a real place in his heart. He is with you all the time and often, and more than often, you are unaware of his presence.
By carrying your cross with faith you can partake in the salvation of the world. You can do something that no one else does. God is inviting you to carry his cross, manifested in your life in a unique way. And people close to you will notice that there is something different about you. If you do not do it, who will? The person on your block or in your office or in your family can be saved when they see something different in you.
Don’t do it with a long face or as an obligation. Carry it as a Christian, with joy and freedom, fully aware of the honor of being another Christ. It does not mean that you are perfect, or you need to say much, or anything. People will see that you are happy and at peace, and without complaint, and that saves them. It gives them hope.
I like the words of Jesus when he says, ‘Ok if you want to be my disciple you have to count the cost.’ This cross is fundamental for discipleship. So what do you need to do in order to be able to share in this cross of Christ? How can you clear the deck and make room for God in your life. Watch a bit less of TV or cut back more on one sport for the kids; cancel the travel team. A friend was telling me recently that in his suburban town parents might spend thousands of dollars on a sport for a child: a coach, or camp, or programs. Often by the time the child is a junior in high school he is fed up with it and quits. It became a huge burden. Let the kids, and yourself, have some down time. Have dinner together (without cell phones) sitting at the same table, or to take a walk, or read a book, or cut back on something that causes stress in your life, or in your family.
When King Solomon became king after his father David died he looked out at this vast nation and God asked him what do you want from me? Solomon responded, ‘A heart to understand how to govern your people.’ He asked for wisdom, and God was impressed that his request was for something so fundamental. You, and I, can do the same. Lord, give me a heart of a good pastor, of a good father or mother, or the heart of a good child, or the heart of a Christian. Ask a lot for this and you will see your cross is not heavy; just the opposite, it gives you life. Hopefully, you will hear more at St. Joe’s this September about making room in your life to see Christ in your family and in your ordinary life. May God bless you!
