In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
The homilist says that, indeed we are not to abandon our parents or children just to follow Jesus, but actually, once we prioritise Jesus in our lives. He will grant you the capacity to love the people around you.
No matter how difficult that might be.
We might have children who have grown up rebellious and are difficult to manage. Or our parents are stubborn and set in their ways and clash frequently with us. The challenge of loving them is not a simple one. And always doing right by them takes alot of effort.
But if we place Jesus in our focus, he shows us that he walks with us on our road back home to him. He will help us with our crosses we carry along the way.
He will not give us more than what we can handle.
In my own experience, no matter how difficult the life situation may be, just praying and offering up our struggles to the Lord helps.
The problem does not magically go away.
But I am more in tune with my struggles. And I accept my struggles. And almost all the time, there will be a way that presents itself as a way out.
So let us pray that we can keep our eyes upon Jesus and the prize of eternal life to spur us on in our daily struggles. To love and serve all those around us and to slowly expand that love outwards to the community and to bring Jesus to others. Amen.
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