Gospel Reading: Mk 8:34—9:1
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
JESUS SUMMONED THE CROWD.
The Gospel is Jesus’ instruction to the crowd and his disciples who cannot comprehend that he has to suffer greatly, die, and rise after three days. His conditions for anyone who wishes to follow him are beyond comprehension: self-denial, carrying of cross, and losing one’s life.
Jesus himself first lives out what he demands of his disciples. He empties himself and becomes obedient to the Father’s will, even unto death (cf Phil 2:5ff). He carries the cross and lays down his life for our sake.
There is no other way to the Father, but the way shown by Jesus. The Christian way is to deny one’s selfish interests for the sake of the Gospel and for the love of God.
“I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God; had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer” (St. Lorenzo Ruiz).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
