8 November 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections

NOTE: Please click the Subscribe key on YouTube and press the black notification bell to receive the daily reflections. Or, open in YouTube for easy access. View and Like. Thank you. TOPIC: HOW PREPARED ARE WE TO GIVE OUR ALL TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST? First Reading: Romans 13: 8-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 1b-2, 4-5, 9 Alleluia: First Peter 4: 14 Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33 In today’s Gospel reading, we see Jesus challenging His followers with extremely strong words. Did Jesus truly mean that we are to hate our parents, brothers, sisters, children and friends? Or is He telling us that if we choose to follow Him we need to fully commit ourselves to His cause and make Him the top priority of our lives? Jesus is making a very clear and strong point. He is not saying that we cannot or should not love and care for our families and our friends. Rather, Jesus is telling His listeners what is essential; Jesus must be first in our lives, but He also wants us to deeply love every person He sends our way. The quality of love that Jesus hopes we will have for one another should surpass the simple notion of liking another person, but He wants us to count the costs as we do so. If we do decide to follow Him, He wants us to go all the way, with no half-measures. Following Jesus is an all-or-nothing proposition.     This is the 1293rd installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Raymond Bucu, Head of Gateway Evangelization, as he brings us today's reflection. All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS] #OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist