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From the Pastor's Desk: June 28, 2020
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This Sunday takes us to the heart of the instructions about the disciple’s mission to proclaim the good news of the coming of the Kingdom of God.
We call this the “Missionary Discourse” because it shows the essence and reality of what the cost of discipleship and the rewards of hospitality toward Jesus’ disciples are truly all about.
Today, we have a great opportunity to assess what is the center of our lives, to reflect what matters most, what our lives are all about. In the context of this Sunday, Jesus presents this in a very direct and challenging way – “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Jesus speaks of being a worthy disciple. But what criterion does Jesus give to be a worthy disciple?
He does not say that the worthy disciple was the one who was merely baptized. Although baptism makes one a child of God, it is not enough to constitute a worthy disciple. Jesus does not say that the worthy disciple is the one who merely keeps the commandments, who doesn’t speak evil of anyone or doesn’t harm anyone. Jesus does not say that the worthy disciple is the one who merely comes to Mass or who prays each day. Jesus does not say that the worthy disciple is even someone who considers Him important, who tries to live life in accordance with His teachings.
Jesus gives us the criterion in today’s Gospel, and it is not an easy one. “The one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. The one who does not take up his Cross to follow me is not worthy of me.” In other words, to be a worthy disciple of Jesus means two things: first, to love Him above all other loves with all our mind, heart, soul and strength; and second, to love Him so much that we will be willing to suffer for Him, taking up our Cross to follow Him.
These are demanding standards, and in the midst of struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, social unrest, polarization of our society expressed with pursuit of justice and acts of violence, Jesus is inviting all of us, once again, to take up our crosses and follow Him. He knows that by following Him, even though it’s hard, we will discover the meaning and lasting happiness that we long for.
Perhaps today, more than ever, we can pretty easily identify our daily crosses and we are asked to take them up and unite them to Christ’s own cross. Today, there are many serious crosses of fear from the coronavirus to protect ourselves and our loved ones, to return to work, to provide for our small business, to provide necessary means for our families, to support respect upon the citizens regardless of color, race or sexual orientation. These are some serious crosses that came our way. There are others like wearing masks, social distancing and many other limitations that go directly against our understanding of how to live and share in the context of Christian community. In addition, the crosses of illness, addictions, broken families and relationships that often flow from sinful habits of selfishness, dishonesty, lust, greed, or neglect.
The idea of the cross is not to punish us, but rather to bring our attention to the sense and fulfilment of our lives that is to serve one another. The Lord invites us today- His disciples- to examine how we serve others. If that is the cross He is asking you to embrace, He will give you the strength you need to do so. For some of us it still remains a fearful thought at the prospect, at the uncertainty, at the risk. That is the relationship with the Lord- it is based on trust, hope and love. It is an expression of the conviction of my heart that the Lord wants to be your strength, your confidence, your courage. He feeds our souls with His soul, your body with His body. This is the love of our God – a love that makes Himself present in our lives, no matter what. It is a love that never leaves us alone, and that never leaves us to carry our crosses alone. In carrying our cross we offer our response as the followers of Jesus to share the work of hospitality, generosity, commitment and charity.
Yes, Jesus asks us to take up our cross, but only so that by dying with Him, we can also rise with Him, and live with Him, meaningfully, here on earth and forever in heaven.
I wish you a safe, peaceful, and relaxing week!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
