Loving Less Loving More

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Rom 13:8-10; PS 112:1b-2, 4-5, 9; Lk 14:25-33
Notes: In Greek (miséō) to hate means to “love less, esteem less”.

1. What should we love less?
2. What should we love more?

First reading
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love does no evil to the neighbor;
hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Responsorial Psalm
Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Alleluia Verse
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

Gospel Portion
When Jesus talks about a disciple hating his own family and his own life, he is quoted in greek with the word miséō which means to “love less, esteem less”.

A good response would be: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How?
A. How do we even love less?
B. How do we love more?

Jesus is calling out three major behaviors we have that are antagonistic to the Gospel:

1. Loving family and possessions at the expense of others, in excess.
2. Building Towers – either a military motif or a tower to defend acquired possessions.
3. Fighting Army – definite military motif to seize or defend acquired possessions.

Who
Jesus and The Way are at odds with generally lived lifestyles.

What
We need to choose between a life of materiality and spirituality.

Where
Here.

When
Now.

Why
Do we wish to share in the work and joy of being G-d’s friend.

How

• Carry your own cross – see the suffering in your proximity and help alleviate it.
• Renounce all your possessions (or say it as: do not let possessions possess you).
• Come after me (follow Jesus).

I promise, a life of charity and loving less (where we should) and loving more (where we can) is really the best of all versions of living life.

A gospel life.

A link to a short teaching from 2016:

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry