GOSPEL READING:
Mark 8:34 - 9:134 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what can a man give in return for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." 1 And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."
Meditation: What is the most important investment you can
make
with your life? Jesus poses some probing questions to challenge
our assumptions
about what is most profitable and worthwhile. In every decision of
life
we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. The kind of
person we
are, our character, determines to a large extent the kind of
future we
will face and live. It is possible that some can gain all the
things they
set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that
they missed
the most important things of all. Of what value are material
things if
they don't help you gain what truly lasts in eternity. Neither
money nor
possessions can buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely
person.
God gives without measure - we give all we have in return
Jesus asks the question: What will a person give in exchange
for
his life? Everything we have is an out-right gift from God.
We owe
him everything, including our very lives. It's possible to give
God our
money, but not ourselves, or to give him lip-service, but not our
hearts.
A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange
for
an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives without
measure.
The joy he offers no sadness or loss can diminish.
The cross of Christ leads to victory and freedom from sin and
death.
What is the cross which Jesus Christ commands me to take up each
day? When
my will crosses with his will, then his will must be done. To know
the Lord Jesus Christ is to know the power of his saving death
and resurrection. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith to
know Jesus
personally, power to live the gospel faithfully, and courage to
witness
to others the joy and truth of the gospel. Are you ready to lose
all for
Jesus Christ in order to gain all with Jesus Christ?
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to follow you as your disciple. I gladly offer all that I have to you. Take and use my life as a pleasing sacrifice of praise to your glory.
Psalm 112:1-6
1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Would you follow Christ?, by Caesarius of Arles, 470-542 A.D.
"When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone
who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction
seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us (Matthew
16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). But an order is no burden when it is
given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to
follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he
has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow
him. There is no cause for despair - by ourselves we can do
nothing, but we have Christ's promise...
"One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as
he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was
humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his
exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ's resurrection
leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the
narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to
run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone
wants to get to the top - well, the first step to take is
humility. Why take strides that are too big for you - do you want
to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility,
and you will already be climbing." (excerpt from SERMONS
159, 1.4-6)
