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.
Christ does not forbid us to love our families or fulfill our duties to them, but demands that all human affection be so ordered as to give Him the highest place. If we cannot esteem Him above those bound to us by the closest ties, we dishonor both Him and the very nature of discipleship itself.
AI summary
Christ sends you as sheep into wolves' jaws, so you must learn to combine the serpent's cunning with the dove's innocence. He forewarned the disciples of sufferings to come, not to shake their faith, but to steel it; when troubles arrive as He predicted, they will confirm rather than destroy what you believe.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:16-42
Every follower of Christ must carry his own cross, the afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions that come especially from those near to us. Whoever shrinks from this burden to comply with friends and conform to the world has already turned his back on Christ and forfeited any claim to be His disciple.
AI summary