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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

“Don’t start what you can’t finish” seems to be the theme of today’s Gospel reading. Whatever the goal, be it building a tower, preparing for battle, or following Jesus, we should make sure we have enough to cross the finish line. But what is “enough” when it comes to discipleship? Jesus is clear: it’ll take all we have. But what if we don’t have the strength to give it all?

Being a mom to our four children has been one of the greatest joys of my life. It’s also been one of the greatest challenges. Maybe you can relate when I say having children feels like walking around with your heart outside of your body. So when Jesus says if we are to come to Him, we must hate our children, parents, spouses, and even ourselves, it’s shocking.

If we want the strength to carry our cross, we have to look at our priorities. God comes first. Our relationship with God has primary placement before the marriage, before the children, and our health and well-being. This is simple, but not easy. But here’s the thing: when we put God first, all the other priorities in life fall into proper order. When the source of our love is from God and for God, we love our families better. But if we prioritize by throwing all the balls up in the air and catching what falls first, we can easily make idols of the wrong things.

God doesn’t want us to hate our families. He’s asking us to love Him more. That is the weight of the cross we carry. The beauty is that when we put our love for Him first, we gain a new perspective on the projects we find worth starting in the first place. 

 

Ponder:

 

Does prioritizing feel like first dibs goes to whomever needs you most at any given moment throughout the day? 

 

Pray:


Lord, I invite You into my crazy days so I don't have to walk alone from one crisis to the next. Give me the courage to pray: God, I love you more than I love myself. Do with my life what You will.

 

 

Daily Gospel 4

 

Copyright 2025 Natalie Hanemann

 

About the Author

Natalie Hanemann

Natalie Hanemann

Natalie Hanemann earned an M.A. in Theology from Franciscan University. As a wife and mom of four, she is obsessed with reading, hiking, and talking about God. She has worked as a book editor for 25 years and also ghostwrites. Her first book, on spiritual intimacy, is slated to come out some time before Jesus returns, God willing. Subscribe to her blog by visiting NatalieHanemann.com.