Second Attempt to Harmonize the Contradiction再試調和矛盾

Twenty Third Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: Second Attempt to Harmonize the Contradiction再試調和矛盾

The previous meditation attempted to harmonize the contradiction between total renunciation in discipleship and filial piety through Chinese classics. That is just one among many approaches. Some homilies bypass Luke 14:26 altogether and focus more on discipleship while others would dodge the contradiction by appealing to the language aspect. They point out that the Hebrew language lacks comparison constructs. When Israelites wanted to express the idea of “loving A more than loving B”, they would say “loving A and hating B”. So, Jesus did not tell us to hate our family members but to love them less in comparison to our love of Jesus! While this approach is correct, probably it might not be applicable in this verse because it is not a comparison at all! On a second thought, I intent to take yet another approach.

I always advise people not to read bible texts out of context. Yet, I might have made the very same mistake when I attempted to focus on one single verse alone. Indeed, Jesus was teaching about total renunciation for the sake of discipleship. Not only should disciples renounce familial relationships, but they should also renounce their lives. This is “his own cross” which every disciple should carry in order to come after Jesus (14:27). Suddenly, Jesus turns “utilitarian” and tells potential followers to calculate the costs to follow Him. If it is beyond their resources, think again and try something else! Now, I have not only one but two issues here! Firstly, how do I fit hating family members into the context of calculating costs? Secondly, does Jesus buy utilitarianism? I have touched upon this topic in another post. So, I will simply focus on the first.

Hatred is a strong feeling which is the very opposite of love. Unlike anger, rage or wrath which are more or less impulsive, temporary and shallower, hatred is relatively more permanent and therefore deeper! When rationality is involved and is unable to neutralize the hatred, violent actions become premeditated. No wonder hatred is not among the seven capital vices but wrath is. Regrettably, we’re witnessing more and more hate-speeches and hate-crimes nowadays.
Psychologically speaking, angry people hurt both ways. Their victims suffer physically and possibly even psychologically traumatized. But so are the angry people physiologically themselves. Their pulses race and their adrenaline level rises. Their internal harmony is disrupted and there is a physiological price to pay when one vents his anger towards his victims! When anger becomes internalized into hatred, the physiological damages would go deeper and more permanent!

Family members are supposed to be one’s loved ones. It hurts deeper when one is offended by loved ones! Similarly, it is more painful to hate family members than insignificant others. Therefore, hating all family members is as costly if not costlier than building a tower or even going to war! Reading Luke 14:26 in this perspective does not need to modify the ordinary meaning of the word “hate” and fits into the context of cost calculation. Indeed, how often do people build towers or go to wars? Not always. Similarly, we don’t hate family members all the time. It is amazing to discover that the hint has always been there in the Old Testament. Now, I may quote Ecclesiastes 3:8 in full, “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”!

Jesus’ calling disciples is both an invitation and a challenge. He challenges us to go to war against God! Yes, the mightier king who has double your troops in hand. What an understatement! In the end, we should find peace with Him before the Last Judgment. Jesus challenges humanity to build the Babel Tower and in the end, infusing us with the Holy Spirit, we speak the universal language of love. He challenges us to forsake all familial relationships in great pains and in the end build a universal family for all humanity!

The term “challenge” is probably a misnomer. It is more appropriate to name it a “revelation” of our inner secrets than a “challenge”. We play God and rebel against Him. We sin and go to war with God. Our pride drives us to build all sorts of towers, making the Creation a wasteland. Probably angels are the onlookers (Luke 14:29). Family is supposed to be the ideal place for growth and development, love and raising children. In reality, familial relationships hurt the most. Paradoxically, this is how humanity mature and grow. Once pains are overcome and love is established, complacency sets in and another round of pains would brew imperceptibly … It demands more efforts and pains to dismantle the existing relationships in order to build a healthier and stronger family bond! Not many people can emotionally afford it …

In view of such harshness, who is able to respond and be saved?

I think many people have overlooked the fact that Jesus is divine. He is able to command inexhaustible resources. For example, He fed 5000 with only five loaves and two fish. Therefore, when we find peace with God, we don’t need to spend our energy doing stupid and unproductive things going against God. With His resources, we’ll be able to build any number of mega-projects we are able to fancy. When we get connected with our Lord Jesus Christ, all our “costs/cross” become nothing because the Good Shepherd would put us, together with our crosses, on His shoulders to carry us home (15:5)!
Brethren! Cheers! Call upon the name of the Lord and He’ll save. Amen.
2022 23^rd Ordinary Sunday
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