The slogan is well known to us that says: “First things first!”
These words express a determination to set priorities.

The gospel text of this Sunday invites us to a different choice (Matthew 10:37-42):
Our priorities should be about putting people first,
more precisely putting someone first.
This someone is Jesus himself who claims the first place.

He tells us clearly:
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;
anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Being a Christian, a follower of Christ, is demanding indeed.
As he was teaching people, Jesus did not speak a message that would easily win disciples.
The option he presented was that of… taking up one’s cross to walk in his steps –
not the most appealing offer, some would say.

Yet, to this day, there are many who accept his way of life, demanding as it is.
Those who dare to follow him are convinced that he has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
They believe that he is “the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).”

It is not a question of abandoning our loved ones but of setting the right priorities.
And even if they seemed to have lost their life in doing so,
the people who made this choice know that they have indeed found their life.

You may be one of them?… Then, you know!
 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/13e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

Source: Image: Scripture Images