Reflection for Wednesday 31st Week in Ordinary Time

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD of GOD

Luke 14: 26 -27

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Today's Reflection

The Ever-Hopeful Watchword of Paul is, “Rejoice in Hope.” The Reading from Romans Begins with the Need to Share Our Gifts, because We are “One Body in CHRIST & Individually Members One of Another.” Each One, Compared to a Member of the Human Body, must Serve the Entire Body Exercise One’s Gifts in such a Way that the Hand is Never Thinking just of the Hand but of the Mouth to which It Offers Food, & the Mouth is Never so Absorbed with Chewing as to Overlook whether the Stomach can Digest the Food & Nourish the Other Parts of the Body, including Both Arm & Mouth.

He Lists 7 Gifts Bestowed on Believers:

1. Prophecy, in Accordance with Faith, so that the Bond of Unity in CHRIST be Strengthened;

2. Ministry, to Represent the CHURCH in Serving Others in Their Material or Physical Needs;

3. Teaching, that the Mystery of JESUS be ever More Profoundly Appreciated; 4. Exhortation, like Parents Joyfully Encouraging Then-Children in Their Talents;

5. Almsgiving from One’s Private Resources, Generously & Graciously;

6. Administration which should Recognize Its Subordinate Place on the List of Gifts & Act “with Love”;

7. Works of Mercy, to be Cheerfully Performed.


Costly Discipleship

Clearly, JESUS' Expression about Hating One’s Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Brothers & Sisters, Cannot be Taken Literally. Earlier in the Gospel, JESUS had Called HIS People to Love Their Enemies, to Bless Those who Curse Them, to Pray for Those who Treat Them Badly. HE Embodies that Teaching in HIS Own Life. HE Healed the Ear of the Enemy who had Come Out to Arrest HIM; HE Prayed Asking GOD'S Forgiveness for Those who Crucified HIM.

JESUS is Using Deliberately Exaggerated Language to Get Across HIS Core Insight. HE is Really staying that Those who Want to Follow HIM will have to Love HIM even More than They Love Those for Whom They would Normally have the Deepest Natural Affection. As GOD'S Representative, as GOD'S Son, JESUS Alone is to be Loved in the Way that GOD is to be Loved, with All Our 💓, Soul, Strength & Mind. Nothing Less will Do for GOD or for GOD'S Son. JESUS Seems to be Saying that if We Want to be HIS Disciple, We Can’t be Half-Hearted about It. Our Following of the LORD is Not a Casual Affair; It Needs to be Carefully Considered, just as Someone who Decides to Build a Tower or to Go to War Needs to Think It Through Thoroughly Beforehand.

Good Morning

GOD Bless Us All

Have a wonderful Wednesday