Hate your family?

One of the more interesting passages in the New testament is Luke chapter 14 where Jesus talks about hating your father and mother. I was told then the Aramaic the idea is turn away from to detach it's an action it's not an emotion like the current meaning so the person still loves their family but it's a matter of who you will choose.

It does bring up the term of discipleship that can be demanding that and that we surrender and with a restructuring of our identity and our priorities. Christian discipleship is considered a lifelong commitment and one that may separate us from our family. Some say the cost of discipleship is not taken seriously if we aren't torn by a commitment because in that chapter in Luke it talks about giving up all your possessions. This also ended up glorifying martyrdom in early Christianity and that side became the dominant narrative in Christianity. in other words, there were people who didn't think you needed to show your faith by dying. You could do things and live on rather than showing your faith where the punishment is death.

For most of my Christian journey I have been interested in discipleship and the disciplines that go along with it. I actually tried compiled to compile a definitive list from several sources I had. I may have been using it in adult Sunday School. what I have found though is that the discipline doesn't last very long for me. I think family and work of course have made it a challenge but the disciplines didn't seem to to help me in my faith walk. They just kind of became a burden and a sign of my failure.

In Buddhism I have found the phrase just Begin again. That is one of the main teachings about meditation. Our minds are going to wander so we just Begin again. We don't need to keep track of the minutes and see if we're getting better. That is where faith comes in in Buddhism, one just continues on the path.