Wisdom 9:13-18
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33
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IT'S ALL YOURS, LORD
"None of you can be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions." —Luke 14:33
The author of the book of Wisdom writes that “the corruptible body burdens the soul, and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns” (Wis 9:15). Whether referring to home or body (see 2 Cor 5:4), the earthen shelter is a possession which weighs down our minds, and from which we struggle to be detached. Jesus says we are to renounce our possessions to be His disciple (Lk 14:33). That doesn’t necessarily mean we sell our house, but that we are to be detached from it. To bear fruit as Jesus’ disciples, we must be detached from our possessions (Mk 4:19-20; Lk 14:33).
This may, for some, actually mean selling some of our possessions. For others, it means using our possessions for God’s kingdom. Jesus declared that no one can serve both God and earthly things, that is, mammon. If we focus on possessions, we will eventually not serve God and even despise Him (Mt 6:24). In today’s second reading, St. Paul asked Philemon to renounce his claim on his slave Onesimus, his “possession” (Phlm 10ff). Paul said that by releasing Onesimus, Philemon would actually “possess him forever” as more than a slave, as a brother in the Lord (Phlm 15).
Be a true disciple of Jesus. Renounce all your possessions so that Christ alone might be your wealth (Phil 3:8).
Prayer: Jesus, more than anything I want to be Your disciple. With Your all-consuming love, melt away anything in my life that is an obstacle to following You completely.
Promise: "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." —Lk 14:27
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who was obedient unto death and was raised up on the third day (Lk 24:46).
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(The Good News is just a phone call away. Try our Bible telephone line, 513-823-3111.)
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