Owe no one anything, except to love

Rom. 13:8-10, Lk. 14:25-33. Today's first reading insists on the supremacy of love in our lives as disciples of the Lord Jesus. Paul re-affirms that the whole law and all the commandments can be summed up in the saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Having refuted the law with all of its commandments, Paul asserts that all the commandments can be summarised in loving others as one loves oneself and the only dept permissible is the dept of love: "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." The Psalmist describes blessed ones as those who show concern for others. In today's Gospel, Jesus commands His disciples to love God above all others, including members of their own family. Great blessings are in store for those who keep the commandments of the Lord. We are not rewarded because we are obedient to the commandments but that we have the right relationship with God, which is the “fear of the Lord” that ensures our blessings. The “Fear of the Lord '' does not mean we are afraid to draw closer to God, but that we acknowledge the “awesomeness of God” and want to draw closer to the “terrific/terrifying” Lord of all. As people realise how blessed they are and how “awe-filled” God is, they will continue to treat others well, thus following the precepts of God.

In today's Gospel, Jesus addresses the multitude who have gathered around Him wanting to be His disciples. Jesus speaks words which at first seem contradictory to the proclamation of love. He tells His would-be disciples that they must “hate” their mothers and fathers, wives and children, sisters and brothers. This includes being willing to carry one’s cross and follow Jesus. In saying this, Jesus challenges His listeners to make a relationship with Him and His Father the number one priority in their lives. God has to be the central focus of our lives and everything else can follow. Nothing, including family ties, can come before a relationship with the Lord Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit. It means that one must be a “disciplined” disciple and calculating, in living out a call to follow Jesus. If our emotional ties with people get in the way of making a commitment to the Lord Jesus, then the ties must be broken. However, if we focus on the love of God, we will be a better and more loving son/daughter, mother/father, sibling to our biological relatives.

May the Lord help us to look up to Jesus when face difficult decisions and to realise that the key motivation must be for the good of all involved! Amen!! Good morning, It is well with you!!!