"Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” LUKE 14:33 - When we first hear this statement, it seems that Jesus is making an unrealistic demand upon us. How can we renounce all of our possessions? We need them to live. However, what we must renounce is the belief that they belong to us. Everything that we have belongs to God alone. All of our resources are entrusted to us not only for our own use, but also so that we can help others. Once we renounce the idea that we possess or are entitled to anything, it is much easier to share the many gifts that God has given us. Then we truly are His Disciples.

“Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you." LUKE 14:13-14 - One of the main principles of living a stewardship lifestyle is to give without expecting anything in return. This is difficult for some to comprehend in our “consumerist” culture that we live in. This is even difficult for many parish communities that have become heavily dependent on parish fundraising events to support the mission and ministry of their local parish. Generally speaking, at a parish fundraiser, you pay money and receive something in return, it’s just a financial transaction. This is opposed to our parish offertory at Holy Mass, where you unite your sacrifice with Jesus’, renewing our covenant relationship with Him.

“For behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.” LUKE 13:30 - Our cultural standards are different from God’s standards. We often rank people by what they have, how powerful they are, or how successful they are. Jesus reminds us that God will not judge us by the same earthly standards. When God asks you, “What have you done with the gifts I have given you?” How will you respond?

Do you think I have come to give you peace on Earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” LUKE 12:51 Many of us like to play it safe, not cause waves with our family and friends, especially when it comes to politics and religion. We don’t want to cause any turmoil. However, many times this is at the expense of the truth. The truth being Jesus Christ. Too many people are misguided because they rely on their own limited human ability to reason and are not allowing faith in God to guide them. Form your conscience; take a stance for life, marriage, and religious liberty.