Spiritual Corner - Why Should We Love Jesus More Than We Love Our Parents and Children?

Some time before, a member of the RCIA said to me, “I really can’t love Jesus more than I love my children and my family. ” Today, let us ponder upon this. Jesus tells us, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26) What does this really mean? Actually, what Jesus says is supernatural love which is different from natural love. The sentiments originated from human nature are often fragile. We often see how people break up with their parents, couples divorced, brothers and sisters completely isolated from each other; the friendship between bosom friends may listlessly disappear due to a trivial matter. Sentiments based on human nature can easily change and fade. By then, we will appreciate how precious is the sentiment of loving Jesus.

With the supernatural love for Jesus, even if parents have hurt us, we still acknowledge them as our parents and serve them with filial piety; though we do not have the same loving feeling for each other as before, but for the bond of marriage, we are still willing to persist, to offer and sacrifice ourselves; even if our brothers and sister have offended us, we still treat them as brothers and sisters; even if our friends have made mistakes, we are still willing to listen to them, keep them company and help them. This love comes from the Cross, it has originated from sacrifice, from the willingness to sacrifice based on supernatural love.

I remember when I was in the seminary, a priest came to me and queried, ” Is that particular Father your Liturgy teacher?” I answered yes. These two priests had been good friends. Then the priest who raised the question continued, “Would you please ask your Liturgy teacher on my behalf if he really doesn’t quite like me?”

The next day, I met my Liturgy teacher and directed the question to him. This priest was always fond of making jokes and in reply, he said, “Please let him know that I don’t like him, but I love him.

It is not easy to love somebody you do not like. However Jesus clearly told us: No matter who you are, if you do not shoulder your cross and follow Him, you cannot be His disciple.
Thus, do not care about gain or loss, let us strive to love, to sacrifice, to offer and to give, because we are Jesus’ disciples.

Yours,
Fr. John Wang