by Father Alonzo Q. Cox
WHENEVER I VISIT the children in the school or in my parish faith formation program, I remind them that it is not easy being a Christian.
As Christians, each of us are called to go beyond the realm of what our society believes is good for us. Our lives are meant to be rooted in Jesus Christ. On the day that we were baptized, the priest or deacon on behalf of the Christian community, claimed us for Christ Jesus. We belong to Christ! Our hearts belong to Christ.
Unfortunately, we live in a world full of distraction and many of us have given our hearts to other things and to other people. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that to truly be a follower of His, we must give our hearts to him, unreservedly and without hesitation.
Jesus tells us, “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” (Matthew 10:37-38).
To be a Christian means giving ourselves completely and totally to him. We cannot fall into the concept of just giving ourselves to Jesus on Sunday mornings. Our Lord wants an undivided heart.
I think it’s safe to say that we love our parents unconditionally. For those of you who are parents, I think it’s also safe to say that you love your children unconditionally. The Lord is challenging us to love him more than mother, father, son and daughter.
St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading that we have newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. We have indeed been baptized into Christ Jesus, and no other. This means following him wherever he may lead us. It also means placing our trust in Him, knowing that he will never steer us off the path prepared for us. Our Lord loves us, His flock so much that he shed his blood on the cross for us.
Being a Christian, being a disciple, being a follower means giving ourselves completely and totally to the man who loves us the most, Jesus Christ. Being a Christian means making sacrifices.
Being a Christian means taking up those heavy crosses, whether it’s the cross of health, financial security, or family, and trusting that the Lord will give us the strength and the courage to bear them. Being a Christian means turning away from sin and distraction and being faithful to Christ our Lord.
It’s not easy being a Christian, but our great reward awaits us, the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
Readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16A
Psalm 89: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19
Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11
Matthew 10: 37-42
Father Cox is the pastor of St. Martin de Porres parish, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the diocesan coordinator of ministry to African-American immigrants.