Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” This simple phrase from Paul in our first reading today is also found in Mark 12:31 and Mt. 22:39. It is central to the gospel, and as Jesus says part of the summary of the entire Hebrew scriptures. So, what are we to do with Jesus telling us in today’s reading from Luke’s gospel that we are to hate our father, mother, and other close family members?
Remember that in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus pointed out that our neighbor is the person who is most in need. We know that radical and inclusive love is at the heart of Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ inclusive table fellowship—inviting tax collectors, those who are poor, the stranger, and those most looked down upon to dine with him — often drew criticism from the elite. Jesus’ remarks about hating one’s family are meant to emphasize just how important practicing wide and inclusive love is to being his disciples. We cannot claim to be Jesus’ disciples and not welcome those who are poor, those who are fleeing violence or economic instability, those who are immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers.
Jesus is clear that sometimes, we must choose between keeping peace in our families and being disciples. Paul echoes the more positive words of Jesus elsewhere, “love your neighbor as yourself.” It is the same message. We must always side with the most vulnerable if we wish to enter the Kingdom of God.
Writing about this is somewhat easy because Jesus is clear. Practicing is another thing. Let’s practice together, Jesus’ inclusive love. I suspect that we all could use some practice.
—Kelly Adamson