“Everyone one of you who does not renounce all of his possessions cannot be my disciples.” It can be a scary proposition to take this line of scripture literally. The real challenge is the word all. Can I give up all my possessions? I’ll be honest, my first answer is, no. But then I remember the wisdom of St. Ignatius who guides us to ask these questions: Am I mindful that all that I have is a gift from God? Is this possession bringing me closer to God or keeping me from God? If something I possess—my car, my computer, my phone—is interfering in my relationships, then perhaps I need to renounce it, or at the very least put it aside and realign my priorities, so that I use all things for good.
Today might be good day to pray and reflect on the Suscipe of St. Ignatius.
—Margaret Horner earned a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from St. Francis de Sales Seminary. She currently serves as the Director of Liturgy at Gesu Parish, Milwaukee, WI.