In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a stark warning to those who wish to follow Him. Today’s Gospel reading comes from the section of St. Luke’s Gospel just before Jesus and His followers set off for Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Jesus known that this journey will end in His death. Following Jesus will soon mean risking one’s reputation and even one’s life. The language Jesus uses today sounds harsh. Can Jesus really be instructing us to hate our families? Jesus uses this extreme language to make a point. Sometimes in life we may find that we are presented with a choice: will we opt to put ourselves, our families, and our own desires and ambitions first? Jesus warns His disciples that this choice is about to be presented to them and He tests their commitment.