One Bread, One Body - Reflection for March 6, 2014
TRIPLE PLAY
"Jesus said to all: 'Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps.' " –Luke 9:23
In the above Scripture verse, Jesus speaks of a three-part process to becoming His disciple:
- Deny ourselves. The first requirement of being a follower of Jesus, that is, His disciple, is to deny our very self. Self-denial is not unusual, even among non-Christians. "Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown" (1 Cor 9:25). People deny themselves in order to make a fortune, build a business, etc. Of course, Jesus is referring to much more than acts of self-denial; He calls us to deny ourself at the deepest core of our being, so that our identity lies in Him alone.
- Take up your crosses daily. Again, this can be done by non-Christians. Caregivers, parents of disabled children, farmers, and others bear their crosses daily. Christ's followers are called to bear suffering and difficulties willingly, innocently, and with forgiving hearts.
- Follow in Jesus' steps. Following Jesus is what distinguishes the disciple. A disciple goes where Jesus goes, loves who He loves, and obeys His commandments. Jesus said: "Where I am, there will My servant be" (Jn 12:26). Jesus went without a place to lay His head (Lk 9:58) and chose the will of God rather than His own (Lk 22:42). He loved His enemies and even gave His life for them.
Deny your very self, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus to and through the cross. Choose to be a disciple of Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be Jesus' disciple and "make disciples" who may then make disciples of others (see Mt 28:19). |
| PROMISE: | "Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live." –Dt 30:19 |
| PRAISE: | Sarah forgave her alcoholic father and joined him at Mass.
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