Jesus said, ‘So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.’ (Luke 14:33)

Trying to be a disciple of Jesus in a developed country in the 21st century means that this passage is very challenging. There are some who are able to live this command to its fullest – but they are exceptional. There are a couple of points relevant for us, especially during Lent.

There is the way that possessions can have us, holding us back from being all that we can be and affecting our relationships. There is also the way that our consumption of resources affects others by depriving them of their due, along with the impact of that resource use on God’s creation (and thus eventually back on us). Part of the genius of Christianity is that we are saved in and by community. During Lent we do well to each examine our possessions to ensure that they are the best for me…and we.

Have a great week!

Patrick