Love

Jesus said to his apostles:  "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.  Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.  And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple— amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." Matthew 10: 37 – 42

Jesus says it rather clearly in today’s Gospel that the focus of our lives should be on Him.  He challenges us to leave all behind and follow.  In his call he is encouraging us to put God first in our lives and to move away from the worries of this world.   Jesus’ message is truly based on love and this is what we are called to love not hate.  Our world is full of hatred and greed and we are called to rise above that and be persons of peace and love.  Let us live this day in love and strive to live as Jesus wants us to.

Pat Schifini, OSU