The point of today’s gospel is to make us realize that becoming a disciple of Jesus is not something we do because of a sudden whim. Discipleship is a serious commitment that requires much thought and deliberation. Becoming a follower of Jesus is the most important enterprise we will ever undertake.
Following Christ and being his disciple is a venture that demands total dedication on our part. Everything else must become secondary if Jesus is to be the Lord of our life. When Jesus says that we must “hate” our families. He is using a semitic expression meaning that we must prefer Him above anyone else in our life. If conflict of interest arises, a disciple will prefer to follow Jesus and not let family ties, work or leisure activities interfere. If we are unwilling to give up some sinful situations, or change a lifestyle that contradicts the gospel, or sacrifice our own convenience to love our neighbour, then we can’t call ourselves serious disciples.
Let us not be superficial disciples who hang around Jesus hoping to catch some of His glory, but be serious disciples who are devoted and loyal enough to Jesus to carry the cross after Him.
~ Fr. Marian