Following Christ is greatest blessing

Jesus’ words of Christ in the 23rd Sunday’s gospel sound harsh, blunt, and even disrespectful.

- FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD

But the Lord, in his Semitic way of teaching, is emphasizing an important message. He’s saying that nothing, not even family relationships, should stand in the way of following him completely. If a conflict of interest arises or work or leisure interfere, a disciple should prefer to follow Jesus.

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For instance, some parents discourage a son or daughter who wants to follow the Lord in the religious life. Those parents will be answerable to the Lord.

On the other hand, there are generous parents who sincerely wish and pray that one of their children would enter the religious life. They believe that a son or daughter who has a religious aspiration is a special blessing and gift of God.

The call to discipleship applies not only to the religious life but to “every” Christian. Jesus’ message today is that anything or anyone who is hindering the discipleship must reflect deeply.

What are these hindrances? One is work. Some people are so enslaved with material pursuit that they have no more time for God, their family and fellowmen.