Let’s put God first in our lives.

Did the true and pure life of a Christian appeal to you? Living with Christ is at least as difficult as in the past. And they did not stop paying the words of the Lord Jesus about following him. “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:37).  Jesus asks us that He Himself be the pinnacle of our love.

Lord Jesus will say these words to the apostles before entrusting them with the apostolic mission. In his love, he knows that many dangers await his followers. He prepares them not to be afraid. Jesus knows that often those closest to us become the greatest enemies in the fulfillment of the duties that He has determined. And precisely in such a sensitive manner – as love for the nearest, bonds with those who gave us life, to whom we gave life; Jesus teaches that we must not hesitate. Deciding where to put God first and then everything else and everything else is a great cross. Jesus wants none of the people, not even those closest by blood, to be an obstacle to salvation for any of us. In love, neighbors can be an obstacle to loving God. Whoever loves God above all else, God will bless his love for his neighbors even more. When realizing these words, we often feel the weight of the cross. True love cannot do without a cross. And that’s why Jesus’ words about the cross are appropriate: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38). In this context, we also see the core of Christianity, which is that we are willing to take up any cross for Jesus in our lives. We understand Jesus’ words that our love for God should come first. To love God before people and before anything. That is how the words will come true for us: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 10:39 ). 

We cannot imagine the life of a Christian without realizing the words of the Lord Jesus. What kind of Christian would I be if I only accepted the words of the teachings of the Lord Jesus that suit me, that I like, and I would do what only I would want? As the apostles were the basis of the true following of Christ, when they fulfilled the words of the Lord Jesus without personal conditions, so today it is we who, not under compulsion, but consciously and voluntarily fulfill the will of Christ. Anyone who has experienced thirst in their life knows how to appreciate even a glass of water.

We realize, as Carretto writes in the book “Desert in the Middle of the City”, or in the book “Leaves from the Desert”, only when I find God in my life and put him in the first and most honorable place in my life, I will know the value of the reward promised by Jesus: “They will not lose their reward” (Mt 10:42).  Following Christ in love, when we put His will first in life, is correct and useful for us.  And encouraged by Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” ( Jn 20:29), we also want to implement today’s words of Jesus