Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 NABRE)
According to Luke's gospel, Jesus made this statement to his Apostles about ten days before he took several of them up the mountain to pray, at which time he experienced his Transfiguration. They were witnesses. So, just prior to pulling back that thin curtain between heaven and earth, just before giving his closest friends a miraculous glimpse of the promised life to come, Jesus challenged them with the reality of Christian suffering in the present life.
This utterance of Jesus challenges all believers to authentic discipleship and total commitment to himself through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross of suffering, even to the sacrifice of life itself. Life seen as mere self-centered earthly existence and lived in denial of Christ ends in destruction, but when lived in loyalty to Christ, despite earthly death, it arrives at fullness of life.*
Today, I will observe the Lenten practice of denying myself certain earthly comforts as a reminder of my commitment to Jesus.
Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Conrad of Piacenza, contemplative who sought a life of prayer and penance, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment