Who do you love most? What choice would you make? God or man? Life or death? Peace or war? Justice or injustice? Eternal life or eternal doom? We really have a challenge and choice to make. In Church today and particularly at Mass, we have a great mixture of personal experiences.
There are some whose, spouse or families have remained united in their Catholic devotions and practices, enjoying the blessing of family life. We also have those who have to face considerable resistance from their families. Catholics whose loyalty to Sunday and Holy Day Mass attendance brings criticism and attack from the members of their family, spouse or a group of ‘friends’.
In the gospel for today’s mass, the message that Our Lord gives us seems far from the gift of peace. Do you think I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. He goes on, quite specifically, to say that households will be divided; relatives will fall out precisely over their view of Him and willingness to follow Him. What Our Lord asked for was complete obedience and the abandonment of everything to follow Him. He meant, FOLLOW ME NOW. No delay is possible, no excuse accepted.
There is no way around the fact that if you are a Christian, God comes first. There is no escaping from the fact that religion is often going to create conflict. In practical terms, what should we Catholics do? First, we should pray for, and support those who are experiencing present conflict and do what we can to help.
Secondly, the question of religious practice must be dealt with and not pushed aside. Entering into new relationships, making plans for marriage, accepting a job in a country where there is no realistic possibility of going to Mass and practicing our faith should not even be an option for a Catholic.
In short, Our Lord’s insistence in the Gospel today, reminds us that there is a bottom line. Where conflict exists, we must try to work for a solution which respects the Catholic person’s rights and which will work also for the non-Catholic.
Where division arises, it has to be lived with – Our Lord makes this clear. Where there is potential conflict, a Catholic must face the fact that Our Lord demands our first and highest loyalty, and that our ultimate happiness and eternal destiny lies in serving and loving Him above all else.
It cost Jesus everything to rescue me…it will cost me everything to follow Him.
Fr. Joseph Osho, OSJ.
