Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 9:22-25
“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25)
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses tells us that God has set life (good) and death (evil), blessings, and curses before us. *God who made you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation.* God will never force His way on us. It will always be up to us to decide what becomes of us through our daily choices. We are free to choose but not to avoid the consequences of our choices.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends out an open invitation to us, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me for whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” Note that Jesus began with the word “If”. *No one is forced to follow Jesus.* It is a decision that has to come from your heart, a choice to deny yourself, to take up your cross every day, and to follow behind Jesus.
It is not a sin if we choose not to follow these Lenten observances. There is no compulsion about fasting, prayer, Stations of the Cross, giving alms, etc. These practices are there to help us. They are there for our good. *If we understand their benefits, we would willingly take advantage of them.* However, if we choose not to follow them (if we choose not to take up our cross), God remains a loving Father.
The best choice in this season of Lent is self-denial. *We are called to fast (deny ourselves from pleasures), pray (deny ourselves from pride), and give alms (deny ourselves from greed and selfishness).* We live in a world where no one wants to hear about self-denial. Everyone seeks the easy path of pleasure and comfort, but Jesus says: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, save me from wrong choices. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 9:22-25).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu