Luke 9: 22-25
“The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
Be Not Afraid!
As we embark upon our lenten journey, we are both encouraged yet also challenged by this Gospel in which Jesus feeds us with his words. He calls us, each and every one of us, saying, “Come, follow me!” Being called is a beautiful gift, an opportunity to meet “Love Himself.” In order to come to know Christ, he tells us that each must, “deny himself and take up his cross.” Now this may sound daunting, and it truly will not be easy; but Christ promises the greatest gift of all through the Holy Cross: salvation!
Jesus has given us the roadmap to salvation. We must freely choose to love Him and follow. The Gospel ends with the words of Christ…a profound question to be on our hearts during this journey, echoed through the ages, even by our dear St. Ignatius: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose himself?” Be not afraid.
—Written by a Senior at St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland OH.
Prayer
Be not afraid. I go before you. Come follow me.
And I will give you rest.
—© 1975, Bob Dufford, S.J. and New Dawn Music.