From today’s Gospel reading:

If you do not carry your own cross and come after me you cannot be my disciple....

In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all your possessions cannot be my disciples.

Reflection:

Jesus tells us today that we should not enter into or take our discipleship to him too casually. We are not just members in a special social club. Nor does being a disciple happen automatically by being born into a Christian family. That’s not enough. Instead, discipleship comes by our making a deliberate and life-altering choice. Before we make such a commitment we must consider it carefully and be willing to make a total gift of ourselves to him and his ways each and every day.

So we ask ourselves:

• How does being Jesus’ disciple affect my daily life in little ways?

• How does it influence the big choices I make?