Memorial of Saint
Charles Borromeo, bishop
(Romans 13:8-10; Luke 14:25-33)
St. Charles Borromeo’s mother was a d’ Medici and his
uncle, a pope. In sixteenth century
Italy this might have translated into easy street. But Charles did not pursue a life of
comfort. Even as the cardinal-archbishop
of Milan, it is said that he lived an ascetic life. Certainly he vigorously implemented the
necessary reforms to keep the Church intact.
He may be seen as having taken seriously Jesus’ admonition in today’s
gospel.
The passage sounds incredible to many hearers. Can Jesus really mean what he is saying, they
ask? He is telling the people that to be his disciples they must hate even their
own parents. The answer is yes and no. Luke’s gospel translates an Aramaic expression
that literally means hate but more precisely
means turn away from. Actually the expression is not different from
colloquial English where people say, “I hate broccoli.” It means that they turn away from it. To be
Jesus’ disciple then means to leave behind the prejudices that they learned at
home.
The effort sounds easier to do than it is in
reality. We like ridiculing others
because it makes us feel better than they.
It is difficult to turn away from our sinfulness and turn to God for
mercy. Yet this is the first step in the
walk of discipleship with Jesus.
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