In Matthew 10:37, Jesus says, "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." This verse is a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing our love for God above all other relationships, including our family and loved ones. Jesus isn’t suggesting we neglect our family, but rather that our deepest love and loyalty should belong to Him. When God takes first place in our hearts, everything else in our lives—including our relationships—falls into its proper place.
The call to love God above all is clear throughout the Bible. The first and greatest commandment is: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). This means that God comes before everything—our relationships, career, possessions, and even our ambitions.
In our daily lives, we might find it challenging to put God above all else. We have relationships with our spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends that demand our time and attention. We also have responsibilities at work, financial concerns, and a multitude of worldly distractions that can shift our focus away from God. However, as Christians, we are called to make Christ the center of our lives and to see all other relationships and responsibilities through the lens of our love for Him.
Jesus asks for our entire heart, not a divided one. When we place Him first, we receive the grace to love others more fully, as He intended. It’s only when our relationship with God is strong and prioritized that we can truly love our spouses, children, and others in the way that reflects Christ's love.
When we prioritize Jesus, we are not diminishing the value of our other relationships; rather, we are elevating them by loving others with the love of Christ. When we prioritize Jesus, we also open ourselves up to love others with a deeper, more authentic love. Jesus is the ultimate source of love, and only when we are filled with His love can we truly share it with others in its purest form.
As 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV-CE) beautifully describes, this Christ-like love is the highest form of love:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This passage reminds us that true love is selfless, humble, and unconditional. It seeks the good of others and reflects the perfect love of Christ, which we can only offer to others when we are filled with His love first. As Jesus said in John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
St. Teresa of Ávila once said, "Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours." We are His hands and feet on earth, and we can only reflect His love to others when we love Him fully. That’s why putting God first is not just important—it’s necessary for us to truly love and serve others well.
One way we can evaluate our love for God is by asking ourselves simple questions about our behaviour at church. For instance, when you attend Mass, where do you sit? Do you find yourself choosing the back rows, even when there are empty seats at the front? It’s common for people to avoid the front rows in church, but let’s compare this to other venues. Would you sit in the back if you were attending a concert, a cricket match, or a special event where the best seats are freely available?
Imagine attending a Mass celebrated by the Pope. Would you not rush to the front rows to get the closest view of him? Yet, every single Mass is just as sacred because Jesus Himself is truly present in the Eucharist. Shouldn’t we want to sit close to Him, just as we would for any other special event?
Sitting closer is a small but profound way of showing our love and reverence for Christ, letting Him know we desire to be near Him, not just physically but spiritually.
In our daily lives, countless opportunities arise to demonstrate our love for Jesus. Whether it’s choosing where we sit in church, how we prioritize our time, or how we serve others, we must continually ask ourselves, "Who do I love more?" Jesus reminds us in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (ESV-CE). Every Mass, every act of kindness, and every moment of prayer is a chance to show our love for Him.
Pope St. John Paul II once said, “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” This call challenges us to actively express our love for Christ, not only in private moments of prayer but also by living as witnesses of His love in all aspects of our daily lives. As Christians, we are called to be a reflection of Christ's love, spreading His message through our words, actions, and interactions with others. Jesus Himself tells us, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14, ESV-CE). We should never miss an opportunity to be that light.
As we draw closer to Jesus and deepen our relationship with Him, our love for others will naturally grow. Rooted in the love of God, we will be inspired to share that love with everyone around us, glorifying Jesus by living out our faith. Let us embrace every opportunity to witness to His love, express our devotion, and glorify Him in all that we do. As St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." Our lives should be living testimonies of Christ’s love, shining His light to the world.