MY daily reflection and prayer:
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 9:22-25
Jesus says, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” And he said to all, “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. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today tells us about Jesus Christ who does not flee before suffering. He says that he must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, but on the third day be raised. He foresee his rejection, suffering, and death, yet does not flee them. He embraces them as a way of showing his most profound love for the sake of our salvation.
Jesus also reminds us that we have to take up our cross daily as well and follow him faithfully. Trully, suffering is present at every turn of life. We realize that our tendency is to flee from it. Sometimes we want to avoid it. But Jesus’ word is very clear. We must take our suffering and cross daily and follow him so that we will save our life.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we ask Jesus Christ to have brave heart to take our suffering and cross daily that we are worthy to follow him. There we ask him to help us to see all that happens to us, even pain, suffering and illness, as an opportunity to grow in love and offer him our love.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you remind us that we will suffer greatly, be rejected and killed, and everyone who wants to be your disciple must take up his cross and follow you. Help us to see the redeeming power of the cross you have laid on our shoulders and embrace it lovingly now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
