Today’s Gospel may sound hard to hear. Jesus says, “Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). He is not trying to scare us away but to prepare us for a deeper, more genuine relationship with Him. Following Jesus is not about comfort; it is about commitment.

The first reading from Wisdom reminds us of our human limitations: “Who can know God’s counsel… unless You give wisdom and send Your Holy Spirit?” (Wisdom 9:13,17). On our own, life is overwhelming. We cannot see the full picture, but with God’s Spirit, we gain courage and direction. Discipleship is not something we figure out alone, it is a daily walk guided by God’s grace.

Paul gives us a beautiful example in his letter to Philemon. He encourages Philemon to welcome Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother” (Philemon 16). This is what it looks like to follow Jesus: Relationships are Healed, Hearts are Softened, and Love overcomes Barriers. Faith transforms Relationships; it changes how we see one another.

Jesus’ call to “renounce all possessions” is not just about money. It is about letting go of anything that holds us back, fear, grudges, pride, or even our comfort zones. When we loosen our grip on these things, we discover the freedom to truly love.

As disciples, we are not promised an easy path, but we are promised His presence. The cross we carry with Him becomes a bridge to deeper joy. This becomes a community where everyone chooses forgiveness over resentment, service over status, and generosity over greed. That is how disciples change the world, one loving step at a time.

When Jesus calls us to renounce possessions, He is asking us to loosen our grip on anything; fear, pride, resentment, that keeps us from loving Him freely. This is because Jesus is leading us to freedom, to peace, and finally, to God’s embrace.

Your Priest,

Fr. Charles Enyinnia