WHAT MAKES US DIE, MAKES US LIVE
Jesus' choice for life is fulfilled by choosing the Cross... Life isn't
about "getting," it's about "giving!"
What brings healing
and transformation in our lives? When we surrender our lives to God, He gives
us new life in His Spirit and the pledge of eternal life for those who love and
follow Him. God wants us to be spiritually fit to serve at all times. When the
body is weak or ill, we make every effort to nurse it back to health. How much
more effort and attention should we give to the spiritual health of our hearts
and minds!
What will you give
to God? Are you ready to part with anything that might keep you from following
Him and His perfect plan for your life? Jesus poses these questions to
challenge our assumptions about what is most worthwhile for our lives. In order
to be called disciples of the Lord, we need to be ready to give up all that we
have, in exchange for true happiness and eternal life with our heavenly Father.
In today's first
reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses clearly articulates these
principles, which he gave to the Chosen People. These fundamental guidelines
point them, and us, in a particular direction, leading to a successful journey.
The real test for the Israelites lies in the choices and decisions they make as
they live out their lives in a new land. Just as they needed to be faithful to
the Covenant teaching then, we too, must remain faithful. If we live according
to God's ways then we will be choosing life itself.
The great irony we
read about in the Gospel, today, is that Jesus' choice for life is fulfilled by
choosing the Cross. The common misunderstanding, however, is that a cross
symbolizes death and defeat. In reality, for Jesus, it symbolizes life and
victory. Life isn't about "getting," it's about "giving!"
In our retreat house we have a sign in the main wing that reads: "What
makes us die, makes us live" (Written by a SNJM Sister).
This is worth
pondering on throughout our Lenten journey!