Gospels explained by Jesus - Gospel messages, gospels explanation |
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Luke 14:25-33
Year C -
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Whoever does not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
What I keep saying in my word is this: I am offering unimaginable riches and glory, a life that surpasses the highest desires of man, a freedom beyond compare, a joy that never ceases and immortality combined with all the perfections of my divinity. If you want to take up my offer, you must understand that everything has a price. A cheap reward is offered for a mediocre effort, but the reward that I offer can only be attained through a life in my word. Those who reject my word will have eternal disappointment.
The wise man is prepared to make sacrifices in order to obtain the good things of life; discipline is required in combination with perseverance. The fool is always complaining of his bad fortune but he does not make any efforts to succeed. The greatest attachment of man is his own self, his own opinion and his own image. He adorns his life with material possessions, with the love of creatures and with all the evils of his self-love. Unless you are prepared to leave everything behind, you may not enter heaven; you see, I have opened the door but you can not enter easily, you must die first and become spirit, therefore you won’t be able to carry any material possessions, you will have to dispossess yourself of all personal attachments and loves and your love must be centred in God only. I have given you father and mother, brothers and sisters, and other people to be your friends, those who will love you and those that you will love. I have given you lots of material things to help you in your journey but nothing or no one of this world should receive more love than your creator. Therefore be happy and enjoy the things of creation, enjoy the love of your family and friends but remember my commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. Do not adulterate this love by loving yourself and others more than Me; I must be your greatest love. And do not despise my cross because that was my throne on earth, where together with my crown of sufferings I endured incomparable pains as the price of your salvation. I give everyone a share of suffering, a little splinter of my cross so that you may be purified through suffering of your pride and disobedience. You know now the price you must pay for Heaven, you know something about the great rewards that await you. Be wise and persevere in your work, I am tracing you the way, just follow me.
Received by: Joseph
of Jesus and Mary
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25 And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them:
