Cycle C - Year II:  

4 September 2022: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Wisdom 9:13-18

Second Reading:   Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Gospel:  Please Read  Luke 14:25-33 

Is it Christian to hate?

Sometimes, provocative questions are necessary to prod us to deepen our faith. Because things are not always what they seem.

It appears shocking to read the beginning of the Gospel proclamation this Sunday coming from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. "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." (Lk 14:26) These are very strong words that seem opposite of what we are taught as Christians to love one another. Because to love one another is the trademark of discipleship. (Jn 13:34)

Indeed we are shocked to hear such words if we do not understand the Scriptures in its totality, or take some biblical passages out of context. How do we deal with this provocative statement from our Lord?

Trivia: In our Catholic Religion, there is that branch of Theology called Exegesis, which investigates and expresses the true sense of sacred Scriptures. Catholic exegesis has a better grasp of the meaning of the texts in their linguistic, literary, sociocultural, religious and historical contexts, explaining them well through studying their sources and attending to the personality of each of the human "authors" of sacred Scriptures.

Let us understand our Lord's strong language to "hate" our families and even ourselves in their proper context and meaning, according to the official teaching of the Church.

The word "hate" in this context often means "to prefer less". So the expression to "hate" is not to be taken literally. Our Lord Jesus used strong language to make clear that nothing takes precedence or first place in our lives over God. Jesus is telling His listeners what is essential in discipleship. That is, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself must be first in our lives.

So Jesus makes it clear that following the Word of God is not a pastime, or a part-time pursuit. It takes preparation, calculation, but most of all it takes commitment from us. One has to put all of their heart into it, and cannot split his affection between the Lord and earthly pursuits. In order to prepare for this commitment Christ tells the crowd that they have to abandon their attachment to material pursuits: "Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciples." (Lk 14:33)    

The Gospel then is not merely a preaching to be accepted but a personal choice that we must live in concrete situations. Accepting Christ in our lives is a personal choice, and when we do so our Lord Jesus must be given priority over other loves and commitments.

Now Jesus is utterly honest and frank in telling His disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after our Lord.  And to gain all, one must also be willing to give all.  This means, there can be no room for compromises with God.  We either give our lives over to Him completely, or we keep them for ourselves as we drown in worldly concerns.

But then we also must want to ask: What does Christianity have to offer that is worth giving up everything else, including one's life?  Well, in reality more than we can fathom! Because Jesus offers His followers a priceless treasure, which is true happiness, peace and joy unending with our everlasting Father in the heavenly kingdom. So that following Jesus is a difficult and rough journey in life. but there is a firm trust and hope in the resurrection that we will share with our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the end.  And in this journey with our Lord, even our sufferings become our prayer, when we make a clear and committed choice for God. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!