February 18, 2020 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021821.cfm)

There are many misconceptions about following the Lord Jesus. Some believers think that it offers a problem-free, challenge-free and stress-free life.

But to contrary to this myopic view, following the Lord has a lot of demands to consider. It is truly costly:

“If you WISH to be a follower of mine, DENY yourself and TAKE UP YOUR CROSS each day, and follow me.”

Deny oneself and taking up cross each day! Wow! Such costly and daunting tasks to carry! Who can bear that? All the more if we are to carry them DAILY?

We know, by human standards, it is difficult to set aside our selfish desires and to shoulder our burdens each day. It is never a joke.

That is why, it takes courage and trust to follow the Lord and to be his disciples. Courage, because we are not taking the control of our life. And trust, because we have to surrender and sacrifice a lot for this life. Thus, those who follow Him are truly brave men and women.

Nevertheless, Jesus did not promise an easy life and smooth journey. He just said:”For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; But if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.” No assurance of a happy and smooth-sailing life’s journey.

What we can thread out from these words of Jesus is that our life and its meaning can only be fully achieved by spending one’s life in serving God and others, not from what the world offers. And the loss of eternal life can never be compensated or satisfied by worldly pleasures and material goods put together.

Finally, in this time of your life, will you be willing to take a leap of faith and to pay a high cost to follow Jesus and to place your relationship with him above all else?