We can sometimes hear or read the Word of God and wonder, is that even possible and why would God say that? For example, when Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife, and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
Jesus doesn’t want us to hate anyone, but He does want us to put God first. We know that there are times when family and friends, or even people from school, the neighborhood, or work, can get in the way of our relationship with God and the type of life He wants us to live.
When they do, it is a cross to bear whether to choose their way or God’s way. Think for a moment about a situation going on now or in the past when you have to decide whether to follow God or go along with someone that goes against God’s way. Can you remember what that felt like and what you did or are doing?
Often, I hear adults talk about going away on vacation or even being at home, and being the only one who cares about going to Sunday Mass. Whether the day is fully planned with no time set aside for Mass, or you are away and no one else wants to go to Mass, it can feel uncomfortable when you need to break away from the group to be with God and our other brothers and sisters in Christ; but it’s worth it every time.
I also hear grandparents, and some parents, talk about the younger members of their families not wanting a “church wedding” and how they feel torn between wanting to be supportive but also wishing the next generation of their family would become one with God.
The third example is usually grandparents wanting their grandchildren to be baptized into the faith and the Church of Jesus Christ, but there is resistance or simply no value to it given by the parents of these children. These are just some of the family examples of where Jesus wants us to make a choice to follow His way.
Did you notice Jesus uses the two examples of the builder of a tower and the king marching into battle to remind us that we need to calculate the cost? We need to prayerfully think these situations through so that the lives we build for ourselves and our loved ones will be built on the foundation of the Word of God, and we will have the strength and courage needed found in the Sacramental life of the Church.
If we do, even if there is discomfort for a while, in the end, we will be rewarded and shine the light of Christ to the world as we hold onto His love, mercy, and hope that all will be well, including for our loved ones who have gone home to God before us and whom we remember in a special way at this Mass.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
