In today’s gospel we are given a hard message about the seriousness of the choices we must make if we are to follow Jesus: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Let us set the stage for what leads to Jesus saying this to his disciples here in Luke 14:26

In Luke 14:7, Jesus begins: “He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.” He describes the scene in which people strive for places of honor and then instructs the listeners on the meaning of true humility, adding that they will receive their reward “at the resurrection of the righteous.” (v. 14b) Continue reading →