If I may pull back the blogosphere curtain, I was assigned the dates that I am writing for this year, so I have to say I was elated to see my name next to this date. It is 109 years since Our Lady’s third apparition in Fatima, nine years since my wife and I had our first date and seven since we said “I do”.
Then I turned to the readings: “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and man’s foes will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:35-36). Um, thanks Jesus. I was hoping for something a little more lovey-dovey. Maybe even a little less combative and confrontational, but instead I read: “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
When I take a moment, this is in fact a perfect reading for me to reflect upon and share with you. You can clearly tell from the beginning of my writing how egocentric my approach is to the readings, asking, “how will these affirm me?” Christ is calling us to love Him most, more than the good gifts given from Him, namely our family.
I needed this reminder today. And perhaps you may too. As fallen persons, we are inclined to choose the lesser over the greater. This could look like choosing vice over virtue because it makes our spouse, child, mom, etc., happy. If we do, then we are not worthy to be called His disciple. The beauty and hope resides in the middle of today’s Gospel: “…he who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).
The stakes are high. We can have no tie of affection or loyalty that is greater than our devotion to the Lord. This may feel like a risk, and in many ways it is. You may risk losing the apparent closeness or comfort of a relationship. But is there anything greater than being a disciple of Jesus? I’ve yet to find it.
Si me permiten descorrer el velo de la blogosfera, a mí me asignaron las fechas para las que escribo este año, así que debo decir que me emocionó mucho ver mi nombre junto a esta fecha. Han pasado 109 años desde la tercera aparición de Nuestra Señora en Fátima, nueve años desde que mi esposa y yo tuvimos nuestra primera cita y siete desde que nos casamos.
Luego pasé a las lecturas: “He venido a enfrentar al hijo con su padre, a la hija con su madre, a la nuera con su suegra; y los enemigos de cada uno serán los de su propia familia” (Mateo 10,35-36). Gracias, Jesús. Esperaba algo un poco más sentimental. Quizás incluso menos combativo y confrontativo, pero en cambio leí: “no he venido a traer la paz, sino la guerra” (Mateo 10,34).
Al tomarme un momento, esta es, de hecho, una lectura perfecta para reflexionar y compartir con ustedes. Desde el principio, pueden apreciar claramente mi enfoque egocéntrico en las lecturas, preguntándome: “¿Cómo me afirmarán?” Cristo nos llama a amarlo más a Él, más que a los buenos dones que nos ha dado, es decir, a nuestra familia.
Necesitaba este recordatorio hoy y quizás ustedes también lo necesiten. Como personas caídas, tendemos a elegir lo menor sobre lo mayor. Esto podría ser elegir el vicio sobre la virtud porque hace feliz a nuestra pareja, hijo, madre, etc. Si lo hacemos, no somos dignos de ser llamados sus discípulos. La belleza y la esperanza residen en el Evangelio de hoy cuando habla de la vida: “…el que la pierda por mí, la salvará” (Mateo 10,39).
Hay mucho en juego. No podemos tener un vínculo de afecto o lealtad mayor que nuestra devoción al Señor. Esto puede parecer un riesgo, y en muchos sentidos lo es. Podríamos arriesgarnos a perder la aparente cercanía o comodidad de una relación. Pero ¿hay algo más grande que ser discípulo de Jesús? Yo todavía no lo he encontrado.
Matthew is a student at the Catholic Psych Institute to one day provide Mentorship – a daily service that integrates and aligns the best of the Psychological sciences with Catholic Anthropology and Spirituality. To learn more about Mentorship or read more from Matthew, join his newsletter (coming soon).
Feature Image Credit: Matthias Stom, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/the-supper-at-emmaus-28249/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
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Saint of the Day
Saint Henry
Saint Henry was a German king and Holy Roman Emperor. He is the patron saint of the childless, of Dukes, of the handicapped, and of those rejected by Religious Order.