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In his letter to the Romans,
Paul speaks of the effects of baptism. Through baptism we share in
the death of the Lord. Through his death Christ rose to new life.
Through our death with him in baptism we rise to a new kind of life as
well. We live no longer for ourselves, now we live for God in Christ.
This new life for God in Christ requires a whole new set of priorities.
What is most important to us? In today’s gospel Jesus instructs the
disciples that neither father, mother, nor any other family relationship
can be as important as the relationship we have with God in Christ.
Safety, security, or the desire for a comfortable life may not interfere
with our discipleship. Jesus says that if we find our satisfaction in
this life, we are lost. Our dissatisfaction with this life points us
toward a new life for God in Christ.
As disciples we must keep our eyes wide open. We cannot be afraid to
look beyond our own circle of family and friends to see others in need.
We cannot be satisfied with just feeling sorry for the sick, the poor,
and the oppressed. Taking up our crosses, we become vulnerable, even to
the point of becoming personally involved in the lives of those whom God
places in our path.
Jesus asks a great deal, but no more than what he did for others and for
us. He asks us to be prophets and righteous people, living
witnesses to God’s love and life in Christ.
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