July 16

The Gospel reading today from Matthew is rich in importance and explains so clearly how much we are called to love God.

“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.”

Wow. This call, while so large, is so beautiful. And we have living examples of individuals who have embraced this very Gospel. Mary, Abraham, all the saints- each individual allowed God to love them to the point of becoming entirely His. And this example is something we, too, must follow.

Tonight, make a list of the important things in your life. Then, order them based on how you spend the most time. Finally, look at your list of priorities. What does it say?

Lord, reorder my life to revolve around You and not the other way around. Amen.