What in your life is a higher priority than your relationship with God?

That's what Jesus wants us

to look at in next Sunday's Gospel reading. What people? What work? What trial? What
possessions? What friendships? What goals? What activities?
What crosses do you want to get rid of that, if you do escape from them, would require you to
abandon Jesus on his cross? (Hint: What sacrifices of love are you unwilling to make?)
Jesus says that unless we are first and foremost committed to discipleship – learning from him
and making every effort to become more like him – we are ill prepared for all the other tasks of
life.
In other words, we can start building toward good goals, but if our relationship with Christ is not
our highest priority, we'll be unable to reach the right finish, because we will get distracted by
worldly interferences and sin. We become victims instead of victors in the battles we face.
Anything good that we do achieve will be only temporary, because it falls short of the kingdom
of God and has no eternal value.
A disciple is a student. We learn from Jesus how to love others, and sometimes this is a real
cross to carry. He teaches us how to live a life of joyful love but also of unconditional,
forgiveness-filled love. We also learn from Jesus how to put up boundaries against those who
interfere with our spiritual growth, and this too can be a cross.
The strength to follow Christ and become more and more like him every day requires a
conscious effort to grow stronger in our ability to carry our crosses while uniting ourselves to his
cross and to his strength. When we lack this inner bond to Christ, we stumble and fall, crushed
by the weight of our crosses. But if we are willing to make sacrifices out of love for others, like
Jesus did, we embrace him more fully and intimately than we could with any other form of
prayer or worship.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
Consider your daily activities: They give evidence of your top priorities. What do you value more
than the time you spend with Jesus in prayer, scripture, and other faith-building activities? What
are really your top priorities?
Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
What are some common ways that we move God down on our priority lists? In making him our
highest priority, what are ways that we can lovingly show concern for others even while putting
God ahead of them in our daily activities?

Whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple"

Meditation:  Why does Jesus say we must 'hate' our families and even ourselves? The
expression 'to hate' often meant to 'prefer less'. Jesus used strong language to make clear that
nothing should take precedence or first place in our lives over God. Jesus knew that the way of
the cross was the Father's way to glory and victory over sin and death. He counted the cost and
said 'yes' to his Father's will. We, too, must "count the cost" and be ready to follow Jesus in the
way of the cross if we want to share in his glory and victory. What is the "way of the cross" for
you and for me?  When my will crosses with God's will, then his will must be done.  The way of
the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus'
sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" for us is the love of God poured out for us
in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into
our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never outgive God. He always gives
us more than we can expect or imagine. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the
love of God?

What does the parable of the tower builder and a ruler on a war campaign have in common? Both
risk serious loss if they don't carefully plan ahead. In a shame and honor culture people want to
avoid at all costs being mocked by their community for failing to complete a task they began in
earnest. This double parable echoes the instruction of Proverbs: "By wisdom a house is built"
and "by wise guidance you can wage a war" to ensure victory (Proverbs 24:3-6). Every
landowner who could afford it walled in his orchard as a protection from intruders who might
steal or harm his produce. A tower was usually built in a corner of the wall and a guard posted
especially during harvest time when thieves would likely try to make off with the goods. 
Starting a building-project, like a watchtower, and leaving it unfinished because of poor planning
would invite the scorn of the whole village. Likewise a king who decided to wage a war against
an opponent who was much stronger, would be considered foolish if he did not come up with a
plan that had a decent chance of success.

Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his
disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price. All it cost is everything! What
does Jesus have to offer that's worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus
offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. (See the parable of
the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-45).  It's natural to
ask what will it require of me or cost me before I sign up or agree to pay for something. Jesus
was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to
follow after him. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give
our lives over to him completely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, "We are
not our own.  We were bought with a price" ( 1 Cor. 6:19b,20).  That price is the precious blood of
Jesus Christ shed for us upon the cross to redeem us from slavery to sin and death.

The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives.  To place any
relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry.  Jesus challenges his disciples to
examine who they love first and foremost.  Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the world's
way of glory and power.  The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to
follow him.   Does the love of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Cor. 5)?

"Lord, may your love transform me that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you.  May
you always be first in my thoughts and intentions, and in my words and actions."

SEPTEMBER 9

Meditation: What makes Christians different and what makes Christianity distinct from any
other religion? It is grace – treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be
treated – with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love
embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest
good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are
ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God
has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from
doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return.

Augustine of Hippo describes Jesus double precept to give and forgive as two essential wings of
prayer:

"Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given you. These are the two wings
of prayer on which it flies to God. Pardon the offender what has been committed, and give
to the person in need."  [Sermon 205.3]

"Let us graciously and fervently perform these two types of almsgiving, that is, giving and
forgiving, for we in turn pray the Lord to give us things and not to repay our evil deeds."
[Sermon 206.2]

Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of
love to do good in the face of evil. How can we possibly love those who cause us harm or ill-
will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe in and
accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and
griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and
resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to
heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and
mercy?

"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my
heart free with your merciful love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace,
take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone."

September 8

Meditation: Do you rejoice in the promises of God and trust in his saving plan for your life?
There is a long venerable tradition among many Christians of celebrating the birth of Mary, the
mother of Jesus our Savior, on this day. Her birth prepared for our redemption in Jesus Christ.
Matthew begins his gospel with the geneology of Jesus from Abraham's lineage through the line
of David, King of Israel. Matthew concludes his geneology by stating that both Mary, Jesus'
mother and Joseph, his foster father, came from the line of David. Mary was asked to assume in
faith a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could
be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws
of nature. That required faith and trust. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of
wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an
engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have
been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her
family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted
in God's promises. Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, believed the message given to him to
take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah. Like Mary,
Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of
redemption. Are you willing to trust and obey the Lord as Mary and Joseph did?
What is the significance of Matthew's genealogy? His genealogy is arranged in three sections
portraying three great stages in the spiritual history of the people of the old covenant. The first
stage begins with Abraham, the father of the chosen people, and ends with David, God's anointed
King. The second stage takes us to the exile of God's people in Babylon. This is the period of
Israel's shame and disaster due to her unfaithfulness. The third stage takes us to Jesus, God's
anointed Messiah. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descent of Abraham and David, and the rightful
heir to David's throne. God in his mercy fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to David that he
would send a Savior and a King to rule over the house of Israel and to deliver them from their
enemies. Jesus is the fulfillment of all God's promises. He is the hope not only for the people of
the Old Covenant but for all nations as well. He is the Savior of the world. In him we receive
adoption into a royal priesthood and holy nation as sons and daughters of the living God (see 1
Peter 1:9). Do you recognize your spiritual genealogy and do you accept God as your Father and
Jesus as the sovereign King and Lord of your life?

"Lord Jesus, you came to save us from sin and the power of death. May I always rejoice in your
salvation and trust in your plan for my life".

SEPTEMBER 10

Meditation: Are you clear-sighted, especially in your perception of sin and the need for God’s
grace? Jesus' two parables about poor vision allude to the proverb: Without vision the people
perish! (Proverbs 29:18) What does the illustration of a blind guide and a bad eye (the log in the
eye) say to us? A bad eye left untreated and a blind guide can cause a lot of trouble that will only
end in sure disaster! We can only teach others what we have been taught ourselves. And how can
we help others overcome their faults if we are blinded by our own faults? We are all in need of a
physician who can give us vision, insight, and clarity for overcoming the blindspots of sin and
ignorance in our own lives.

True disciples of Christ are those who listen to the voice of their Master and who submit to the
skillful help of Jesus, the Divine Physician, who heals us and removes the cancer of sin from our
lives. If we are to be guides and teachers for others, then we need good vision, both spiritual and
moral vision, and a clear map that shows us the right path and destination for our life's journey.
Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life – no one comes to the Father except
through him (John 14:6). If our destination is heaven – our true home and union with God – then
there is only one way to get there and that way is through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In
the cross of Christ sin is pardoned and the sinner is made whole, darkness and corruption give
way to light and truth, death is defeated and new life in Christ is restored. The cross of Christ
frees us from condemnation and guilt and shows us the way of perfect love and unity with God
and with our neighbor.

If Christ has truly freed us from guilt and condemnation, then why is judgmentalism and a
critical spirit so rampant today, even among Christians? "Thinking the best of other people" is
necessary if we wish to grow in love. And kindliness in judgment is nothing less that a sacred
duty. The Rabbis warned people: "He who judges his neighbor favorably will be judged
favorably by God." How easy it is to misjudge and how difficult it is to be impartial in judgment.
Our judgment of others is usually "off the mark" because we can't see inside the other person, or
we don't have access to all the facts, or we are swayed by instinct and unreasoning reactions to
people. It is easier to find fault in others than in oneself. Jesus states a heavenly principle we can
stake our lives on: what you give to others (and how you treat others) will return to you (Mark
4:24). The Lord knows our faults and he sees all, even the imperfections and sins of the heart
which we cannot recognize in ourselves. Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor he patiently
draws us to his seat of mercy and removes the cancer of sin which inhabits our hearts. Do you
trust in God's mercy and grace? Ask the Lord to flood your heart with his loving-kindness and
mercy that you may only have room for charity, forbearance, and kindness towards your
neighbor.

"O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its
need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to
sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at
their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for thy name's sake." (Prayer of William Barclay, 20th
century)