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Family First, No. 2 Priority?

" Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple". - Luke 14: 25-33

      He started by asking us if we love our families.  Of course, everyone answered with a big yes.  For most of the times, our families comes first, hence, the saying "family first".  But the gospel today seem to conflict with the beliefs and the culture, especially we, Filipinos, got used to.  This time, it seemed that Jesus wanted us to "hate" our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, and our own lives too.  How can that be?  How can I serve him better if my heart will be filled with hate?

       As for me, my family is the most important thing in my life now.  I can't tell exactly if I am able to show it in my actions and in my words, but indeed they are the most important people in my life.   I have traded my own happiness, and even other people, just for their sake.  I am not saying that they wanted me to do that. It's a personal choice because I am happier living my life with them now.  They fill a big space in my being, and honestly, I don't know how I will be able to survive my everyday challenges in life without them at my side. They have been the constant source of my inspiration.  They supported me at my weakest, and they are still there no matter how I messed up.  I am now living with my father and siblings, after trying live independently for a few years.  I know that during those times, my love for them and my longing has actually grown deeper.  I know they felt the same way.  I'd say that each one of us feels the same.  We want to stay together and get closer each day.

      I heard today's gospel and the priest's homily, and I was moved because it seemed that this love that I am feeling for my family now is blocking my way to become a faithful servant of the Lord.  Is God testing my loyalty?  Who would I choose? Him or my family? Isn't that He was the one who gave me this family so that I would have reason to live and to exist? Should I really hate them and how?  These are just a few questions that have been going through my mind as I reflect in today's reading. 

      But Fr. Vincent  said that we should  not take the word "hate" literally.  It only means that we should hate them, put them aside, and make them our second priority.  If we truly want to serve the Lord and be faithful to Him, we should make him our No. 1 priority even if that would mean hating our families.

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