Daily Bible Readings - July 16, 2012

READ WELL

 

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37

 

I’ve met a number of “extreme” Bible enthusiasts who quickly interpret the above verse by concluding that it would be a highly spiritual thing to leave your family behind to serve the Lord. That’s not a problem if you’re entering the religious life. But not so for a married person.

A man once told me that he wanted to serve God full-time so he was now ready to abandon his wife and children. He was convinced that he was following God’s will. What Matthew 10:37 points out is that it’s wrong to love your family more than God. But it doesn’t tell you not to love your family at all — or worse, leave them and use God as your reason (or scapegoat). Didn’t you promise God to love and take care of your family in the Sacraments of Marriage and Baptism?

There are other biblical verses telling you not to neglect your family. And that’s another important way of understanding the Bible more. Let Scripture interpret (or clarify) Scripture. Test a Bible verse with other related verses. Because God’s Word will and should not contradict itself. Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

How do you show that you love God above all, while still loving others, especially your family? Love God through others today.

 

Dear God, grant me the grace to live by the greatest law of loving You above all and loving others as myself. Amen.

 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.