May 14, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“Lord, let me first ..." (Matthew 8:12)

This is the first part of what an aspiring follower said to Jesus. It’s something a true disciple should be careful not to say. Christianity is not an extra-curricular activity we give attention to if we have some spare time. It’s not an afterthought. Jesus wants us to give Him our whole heart because fullness of life consists in loving Him with our whole being, which also entails loving our neighbor as ourselves. This translates to committing ourselves to actively participate in the work of His Church through the local church family He put us in and doing works of charity.

If we say we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His will should be followed, not ours. He should be first, not we. In everything. Because if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.