From today’s Scripture: “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.”—Lk 14:26

Jesus has strong words to share in today’s Gospel passage. Essentially, he’s asking us to be willing to sacrifice everything, even our relationships and our own lives if necessary. Our identity does not come from earthly sources, such as our career or who our parents are. Our identity is rooted in our relationship with Jesus as a Christian, as a disciple.

Interestingly, when you Google the word disciple, it’s this Scripture passage that comes up over and over again. So discipleship is synonymous with and defined by sacrifice. Some refer to this Scripture passage as “the cost of discipleship passage.” While some may become wrapped up in reflecting on the personal cost of true discipleship, it may be worth reflecting on the personal cost Jesus incurred for our eternal soul. Jesus risked everything, even death on a cross. Can we not live a life of sacrifice for one lifetime, to gain union with Jesus for all eternity?

Let us pray: Dear God, help me to find my identity in you as a Christian disciple, and to persevere through life’s challenges and necessary sacrifices.

Today’s author is Julia Sauter, a member of Glenmary’s Development team. She holds a master’s degree in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

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