Do you remember a time when you lost something, perhaps a much-valued possession? When we lose something of high value, we search and search until we finally find it. And the discovery brings such a sense of relief. The greater the value of what was lost, the more we rejoice in finding it. In this Gospel, Jesus shows how our human feelings also echoes an eternal truth.

Don’t underestimate Jesus’ love. No matter where we are, no matter what condition we find ourselves, no matter how multitude our sins are, Jesus will continue loving us. Whatever it takes, he will forgive us - even dying on the cross, he will do it over again just for you and me. The reason is simple: Jesus loves us very much!

What are you willing to give up to follow Jesus? That’s the question in today’s Gospel. Jesus proclaims that no one is worthy to be called His disciple unless he “hates” those people dearest to him, or renounces his possessions, takes up his cross and follows Jesus to wherever He leads (and if one is carrying a cross, then that led to only one place). We may try to qualify Jesus’ words, but they proclaim a great truth: there are no half-measures when following Jesus. He requires everything of us. Are we willing to say yes to that?

Jesus is challenging every person who claims to be a Catholic to take a moral stand against the evils of our times, such us poverty, racism, violence, abortion and capital punishment.

It’s human nature for us to want places of honor. Yet Jesus challenges us to do the opposite: to seek the “lowest place.” While many in the world compete for worldly prestige and honor, Jesus is asking Christians to outdo one another in the practice of true humility.

Humility is openness to the Spirit! Being open to the Spirit is being sensitive to where God wants us to serve, like reaching out to the poor and marginalized in our society. Do note that the poor and marginalized are not charity cases or objects of pity but as our brothers and sisters that need our love. When humility is practiced with modesty, we become the reservoir of incredible values, like: honesty, sincerity, generosity, simplicity and compassion.

Many of us know the sinking feeling we get when we approach an airline gate, see the closed door, and realize we’ve missed our flight. Today’s Gospel reading takes that one step further and asks us to contemplate what it would be like to miss out on heaven, seeing that door shut to us forever. “There will be wailing and grinding of teeth,” Jesus says—and we’re faced with the consequences of the choices we make in our life.

Today’s Gospel reading may surprise us. Jesus’ words don’t seem to fit the peaceful forgive-your-enemies-and-turn-the-other-cheek image of Jesus we might have. In fact, he says quite explicitly that he didn’t come to establish peace, but rather, division. What do you think Jesus means by this?

Pope Francis describes this “FIRE” as: “the fire of the Holy Spirit; a creative force that purifies and renews; it burns away every human misery, all selfishness and every sin; and transforms us from within, regenerates and makes us capable of loving… The fire of divine love… does not come from the head but from the heart.”

“For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.” These words of Jesus challenge us to ask ourselves about our real priorities in life. What is most important? One look at how we use our time or spend our money will tells us what is truly important. Then comes the bigger question: do our priorities line up with God’s?

There’s nothing inherently evil about owning the things we need. However, when our way of life is controlled by our wealth, there’s always a tendency that we neglect our duty to God, our obligations to our families and our responsibilities to our neighbors.

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The Old Testament reading reminds us that we can spend our whole lives acquiring things but, in the end, all of our possessions will go to those who haven’t worked for them. This sets us up for the Gospel reading, as Jesus addresses a man who wants him to settle a dispute about an inheritance. As always, Jesus turns the immediate issue into a lesson about a greater truth.

Greed is a complex conundrum! Spiritual writers tell us that, “possession of money is not the ultimate problem; what matters most is one’s disposition, desires and attitude. The renunciation of money is an outward sign of the more important inward struggle.”

Though we often take the “Our Father” for granted, it is good to remember how remarkable and radical it was for Jesus to begin the prayer not with “Almighty God” or “Mighty King” but with the most personal and intimate name: our Father. Through those words we are invited into a relationship as one of a beloved child coming to ask a loving parent for the things we need.

When we pray it, we begin by addressing God as “FATHER”. It reminds us of a FATHER who created us in his image and likeness; and the God who is very extravagant in his love! When we say, “Hallowed be your name,” we are injected in his holiness, so he sanctifies us to become saints.

This Gospel reading challenges us to remember that being busy for the Lord is not the same as being with him, to sit at his feet and hear him in our hearts. Truly that is the “better part.”

Jesus is not asking us to choose between being a Martha or a Mary. He challenges us that in order to be a reliable service-oriented Martha, we should be authentic praying Mary. Our service to our neighbor and our prayer to God are bridges where Jesus can walk from our hearts to those in need. To reach the soul, we have to begin with the body.

Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan is well-known and often quoted. Yet we often miss how Jesus uses the question “Who is my neighbor?” to upend a rigid and impersonal view of the “Law” of the Jewish people. Through an unlikely her--a member of the Samaritans, who were disdained by the Jews--we see an exemplary and sacrificial love.

If you’re asked today by Jesus, “Who is a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” and if your answer is, “The one who treated him with mercy,” Jesus is telling you right now, “Go and do likewise!” That’s our mission this week: be a good Samaritan! Remember, LOVE creates good neighbors! So, just LOVE!