Reflections on the Sunday Readings

                                                                                                                                It was on Sept. 14 th in the year 335 that the relics of the true cross of Christ, which had been discovered 9 years before, were brought out in front of the newly built Church of the Holy Sepulcher for public veneration.  This feast of the Exaltation of the Cross falls only once every 7 years on a Sunday and otherwise occurs only during weekly masses.  On this day we honor the symbol of our salvation and price it cost Lord to bring this about. 1                          ...

    Our gospel this week has some strong words to say about family relations and our relationship with God  “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25 ff).   At first glance one         might  wonder if I follow Jesus, do I have to hate my parents, siblings, etc.?   The word “hate” in biblical literature can have different meanings.   For example, much of the New Testament and even some of the Old Testament was initially written or translated into Greek.   The Greek word for “hate” that is often used in the bible is “miseo” which means “to love less.” 1    Using that type of meaning, Jesus   is saying that the love of God is primary and must come before the love of anyone or anything else.   To follow Jesus   requires of us such a position in our lives.   Using this un...