Do you have what it takes to be a disciple? Don’t panic: You don’t have to “hate” your family.

It was meant to be the deal breaker, and it was. Hate your parents? Your siblings? Hate your spouse and children? Who can do this? Who can imagine Jesus would even want this?

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple.

She was at once my friend, my accountant, my spiritual director, and to use her words, my “other mother.” We couldn’t be more different.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Our possessions are not ours—God has given them to us to cultivate, that we may make them fruitful and profitable in his service.