Jesus wants us to love him first and foremost. What about other people in our lives? William Manaker, SJ, reminds us that putting Jesus first helps us to love others better. Based on the readings for Sunday, July 2, 2023.
If you want to love someone, love Jesus first.
Hi, my name is William Manaker, and this is my one-minute reflection.
Have you ever had someone make outrageous demands of you, or claim your love and attention in a self-centered, narcissistic way? It can be annoying, off-putting, and even harmful.
Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel appear self-centered. If you love father or mother, son or daughter more than me, he says, then you’re not worthy of me. From anyone else, these words would be a red flag. Yet they’re in the Gospel. Why?
Paradoxically, if we love God above all, we’ll actually love others more—and love them better. Jesus shows us how: because he loved the Father above all, Jesus poured out his life for us in his death and resurrection. The Father is the source of Jesus’ love for us.
If we place Jesus at the center of our lives, then he’ll teach us to love each and every person as he did.
