RE NEWS

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Luke 14:25-33

All who do not renounce their possessions cannot be my disciples.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus shares a parable about the importance of being truly committed to our faith. He says:

"Think about it—if you wanted to build something big, like a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and figure out how much it would cost? You’d want to make sure you had enough money to finish it. Otherwise, if you started building and couldn’t finish, people would laugh and say, ‘Look, he started something he couldn’t complete!’

Or imagine a king getting ready to go to war. He’d definitely think carefully about whether his army of ten thousand could defeat the other king’s army of twenty thousand. If not, he’d try to make peace before the battle even started. In the same way, if you want to follow me, you need to be ready to give up everything you have."

The saints give us some fascinating examples of dedication. St John the Baptist famously lived on locusts, and St Francis of Assisi led an eccentric life, often speaking about the beauty of nature—even worms! Make of that what you will.

But one message is clear across all the saints: being a follower of Jesus requires full commitment. There are no half-measures. The apostles dropped their tools, left their homes, and gave up their possessions—and even their families—to follow Jesus in his mission. In the Old Testament, the Prophet Abraham was even willing to give up his own son, Isaac, in obedience to God.

This week, we’re challenged to reflect on our own level of commitment. Heart to heart—what are we truly willing to give up for God? What sacrifices are we prepared to make to live authentically for Jesus?

Would we say we’re “all in”… unless it costs money? Or maybe we’re committed—unless it takes up time on the weekend? Scripture reminds us: before we sign the dotted line, we need to understand the depth of the commitment and be fully invested. There’s no benefit in being a “half-Christian.”

There’s little point in saying we love Jesus if we’re not willing to help those around us or be present with those on the margins of society. To love Jesus is to love our neighbours—to feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and care for those in need.

Faith is something we live out through action.

And it’s only through living it that we can truly experience the full fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So what can we do in response to this passage? We are called to take real steps—however small—towards living our faith more fully. That might mean giving up some time to help someone in need, being kinder to those who are left out, or simply making space in our day to pray and reflect. The challenge is to move from words to action, and to let our faith shape the way we live.

By Jonathan Rooney 

Religious Education Leader 

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