Materialism (Lk 14:33) by Kevin McNicholas

05 Nov Materialism (Lk 14:33) by Kevin McNicholas

“In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” ~ Lk 14:33 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections:  Lord, You mean we have to get rid of everything?  I don’t think Jesus meant that we can’t keep things we need to live, it would be hard to decorate for Christmas without ornaments, and we can’t cook Thanksgiving dinner without dishes!  Possessions are those things that we put before God, that is what Jesus is asking us to renounce.  Whatever occupies our minds, our time, and therefore our hearts, is what Jesus is telling us to get rid of.  If I sell everything I own, I won’t be doing a very good job as a husband and father, as my family will not have a home or clothes or food!  However, if I allow hobbies, interests, or objects to come between God and me, then I am losing the most important aspect of my life, the ability to be His disciple!  Our culture tells us we need things to be happy.  Jesus is telling us the exact opposite here, He is saying that in Him alone can we truly be happy, without the distractions of possessions, those things that take our attention and our hearts away from being in full Communion with God.  Today I am going to pray for the strength to examine my life and see if there is anything separating me from God!
* Kevin is a School Social Worker in Southern Illinois.  He and his wife Laura have been blessed with two miracles: a two year old daughter named Elliana (“the Lord Answers”) and a 6 month old son named Jeremiah (“God is Exalted”). They have been blessed during the 8 years of their marriage to travel to Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide, as well as to serve their parish and community.
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Faith Challenge:  Pray for the grace to discern what gets in the way of your relationship with God and the strength to give that possession up!

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Saint Elizabeth
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Faith Quote:  “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” ~ Luke 12:34
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Through Christ our Lord,
Kevin McNicholas
Lk 1:37