Sunday Faith Reflection
For the outset of America Week.
Today’s readings begin with a moving story of the Prophet Elisha rewarding a pious woman for her generosity by blessing her with a son. That’s very lovely. But then, perhaps confusingly, we end up here:
Jesus said to his apostles:
“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;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.”Matthew 10:37-39
The first story makes clear that family is indeed one of the most precious things in this life. But the Gospel gives us some important context: we can only love family properly when we love God first. And indeed, this is true of all natural loves. Even the highest and noblest natural attachments can become a spiritual stumbling block if they are not subordinated to the transcendent love of God.
This is a fitting starting point for a week in which Americans honor the 250th birthday of our country. I love my country. I feel blessed to have been born here, and I’m proud of the role it has played in the world. I’ll say more about that this coming week. At the same time, it’s very clear that the love of country can be distorted into some very ugly forms of idolatry. We should be cautious about that, moderating our attachments through reason, but also keeping in mind that there is only one real solution. Only one purifier of natural loves: God.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation;
announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Amen.