This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's

Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with love

about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish and Winnetka now presents

the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, can I begin this sermon with some of the most disturbing words in the New Testament?

Listen to this now from the Gospel of Luke.

If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers

and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

There they are, words of course out of the mouth of Jesus, talking to his disciples about

the cost of discipleship.

Anyone comes to me without hating those who are closest to him.

Now, here's the same person that told us to love our enemies, bless those who curse

us, pray for those who mail treat us.

So we love our enemies and we hate our family members.

That's what he's telling us.

Well, this sounds like a pretty odd religion, doesn't it?

And we can't get around this by saying, well, what he means here is, you know, unless

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