I still remember the first homily I ever preached as a new deacon. It was at the seminary, and the Gospel was this one: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-38) Standing before more than 200 classmates and professors, I stumbled awkwardly through my words and realized how strange — almost insane — this teaching sounded. If anyone else said it, we would call it narcissistic or cultish.
And that is the point. I felt the weight of those words in my own heart then, as I still do today. Am I willing to live as though Christ’s claim on my love is absolute? Are you?
Over the years, I’ve learned that the more I do, the more everything else makes sense. Family, friendships, vocation, even my very self: all of it falls into place when my love for Jesus comes first.
That is why he dares to speak this way. Our Lord is not a cult leader hungry for control. He is the Son of God, the source of life and love itself. To put him before everything else is not to lose, but to find…everything, and everyone, in him.
This week, name one thing or one person you are tempted to place before the Lord. Then consciously offer it back to him in prayer.
— Father John Muir
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