Our First Love

[Jesus said] Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

For anyone who has not been awakened to the grace of God in their life, that is, in part - anything that is, good or praiseworthy, and that which is convincing of their own desperate need for redemption, then, this might sound like the definition of insanity. Really, we are to love someone else more than our own parent or child? Yes!

I will not pretend to have the answers. Rather, I will confess, in faith, through grace, by seeking to love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my mind, mysteriously, I am a better son, husband, and father. I'm less angry and more forgiving, I'm less demanding and more servant-minded. 

Loving God, there are so many things in life that clamor for our attention, to make us place them as the "first love" in our lives - whether it is a job, an achievement, or even a relative. Help us Lord to see, and to hear, and to know that it is only in you and with you that each of these things might be a greater blessing or more beautiful. Today, we offer ourselves with humility and thanksgiving, trusting in your mercy and goodness, simply, that we might love and care more deeply for those in our families and for those that cross our path...