This verse can be difficult to understand. Christ is not literally calling us to resent our families or ourselves to follow him. Instead, the biblical language points to a more profound truth. Jesus invites us to place him at the centre of our lives. The challenge is not to hate those dearest to us, but to love him above every other love we hold.
Seen positively, Jesus is saying: I love you madly—love me madly in return.
This invitation calls us to pray continually for the grace to keep him at the heart of our lives, our loves, and our relationships.
It also presses us to face a sobering question this week: what competes with Christ for our deepest love?
Reflections by Grant Tungay SJ
