Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel passage is very challenging as Jesus expects his disciples to “hate” their family members and even their own lives. He does not want us, however, to attack our family members or to wish harm upon them. His point is that nothing should have a higher priority than following him. Each of us has had dreams and desires for our life, often focused on careers and starting a family. These desires are not evil, but God may have other plans in store for us, plans that provide for our own benefit and the benefit of all. If we focus entirely on our own desires, we will likely miss out on God’s plan for us and the blessings they will include.
At another time in the Gospel, St. Peter says to Jesus that he and the other disciples have given up everything – family, homes, jobs, etc. – to follow Jesus, to which he replies that anyone who does so will receive even greater families and homes, along with thrones in the Kingdom. To hate our families and our own lives for the sake of Jesus and being his disciple is to sacrifice our personal desires and dreams for the sake of God’s plan for us. Thus, we are all called to listen to the voice of God, discerning what he has in store for us and embracing the difficulties of discipleship in the hope that such sacrifice will lead to greater joys than what we had imagined for ourselves.
Reflection by Fr. Victor Schinstock, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections