Daily Inspiration

“Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” —Luke 14:25-33

I often hear Christians explain that Jesus only wants us to be happy. This is true, but perhaps not in the way most understand it. Jesus never told us to expect happiness in this world, or to strive for our reward here. Christ calls us to seek the happiness found only in the presence of Our Lord. Just as when we compare anything to God, we recognize that only He is good; true happiness will only be found in the presence of Our Lord.

Christ shows us the path and offers us the Way back to the Lord. The pursuit of worldly happiness can distract us from following in Jesus’ footsteps. Our cross in this world is the crutch that helps us limp our way to Our Lord, the Fount of all that is good.

Watch today’s saint of the day video