Life can be very complicated. We are faced daily with choices and decisions to make. Some choices are very clear, but so many are murky and difficult even with the best of intentions. What is the right thing to do in this situation? Paul gives us the solution in one word: love. Love is the fulfillment of all rules and laws. Love is not sentimentality or romance, but a refusal to do any harm to another human being. In a positive sense love is treating others with the same dignity, respect, and love we would want shown to us. When we live the law of love we will not go astray - we will make the right choices.

A churchgoer is a disciple and should be the same person, but quite often they are not. The person can observe a religion in a superficial manner - obeying all the rules - with the hope of going to heaven after death. But Jesus wanted all who follow him and take his name to be disciples. And to be a disciple will cost us! Jesus uses some shock language - he warns that we must 'hate' family, friends, and life. He does not mean 'hate' in the usual sense rather He uses an ancient expression - a language of comparison - to convey a meaning such as "do you love me more than these others" (Jn. 21:15). The message of Jesus is clear: God must always be number one in our lives, even coming before family, friends, and physical comfort. And following Jesus is 'taking up one's cross'. It is the way of devoting oneself to love and service - the way of putting God first.