Dear Friends:
I can’t believe it’s almost July can you? Time really does go by quickly! Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 10:37-42. This Gospel can be somewhat disturbing if we take it at face value. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Pretty tough words aren’t they?
This is why it’s important to study about the Scripture we read. Something like this is very easy to take out of context. What Jesus is saying is that he, his Father and the Holy Spirit must be first in our lives. That doesn’t mean we ignore or not care for those of our family. What Jesus really means is that we can love him and those family members. When we do that, we complete the circle of love. We love God, pray often and do as he would like us to and also love those around us. At the same time, we are challenged to make sure that God is always first in our lives. If we value our lives, comfort and resources more than a relationship with God, we will be on the right road but in the wrong lane!
I think we will find that when we put God first, the rest of our lives fall into place. Suddenly we realize that it is easier to love those around us when God is at the center of our lives! Why not give it a try? I think you’ll be surprised!
Please continue to pray that the virus we are experiencing will be taken away from our country and the world soon. Faith can move mountains!
Peace and All Good!
Deacon Jim
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