Jesus said: “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.” The words from the Lord seemed awfully harsh! But the Lord knows his people. The Lord was not afraid to challenge them a bit. He knows where each person would draw the line. Perhaps, one of them didn't want to leave the security of their parent's home. Another was worried about being treated as an outcast if they follow Jesus. Maybe a third was eager to begin the journey with Jesus, but could not hold on, when the going gets tough. Or another just followed Jesus out of curiosity, but didn't took it seriously.

Jesus spoke to the crowds, because he wanted to shake them up a bit, and help them to push past whatever obstacles that may keep them from following him. He wanted them to see that discipleship was a serious decision, a decision he couldn't make for them, but that they had to answer for themselves. They had to decide on their own, if Jesus was someone worth following.

Story: I remember when I was in Seminary, and one of our professors, who taught Systematic Theology. When it came time for grading, he was a bit unconventional. He would let us grade ourselves. So naturally, we all gave ourselves an A. But he would follow up by saying: “Even though you may get an A in my class, but it doesn't mean that you're smart or anything.” The professor wanted us to challenge ourselves, and set high standards for ourselves, and to excel in whatever we set our mind and hearts to do.

Perhaps in our own life, when it comes to following Christ, we need to be challenged. We may obstacles that may prevent us from following Jesus. What are some of the obstacles that need to be released? How can we surrender ourselves more to Jesus? When you receive Holy Communion today, try to listen to the Lord Jesus. He wants you to be closer to him. He wants you to see those obstacles that prevent you from drawing closer to him. He wants you to let them go, and to trust him. Trust that Jesus will show you how to live it out this week. He challenges you to take discipleship seriously, and wants to challenge you to take it the next level, whatever that may be.

When we gather at the Mass, we recall the great mystery of God's love, and the Sacrifice of Christ for the world. We are redeemed by the cross of Jesus. We are adopted daughters and sons of God by our Baptism. We belong to God, and are in communion with God as we eat and drink his Body and Blood. It is the mysterio fidei. The Sacrament is a Sacrament of Unity. Just as the unity of the Liturgy of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist, in Word and Sacrament. The two parts of the Mass that intimately connected, that together, they form one act of worship. In a similar way, is our unity with God and with one another. It is in believing in Christ that we receive true freedom, and an everlasting inheritance. The fruits of the Liturgy, is that it unites us more closely with God, and that it unites us with one another. So that we can be of One Mind and One Heart.