A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:22-25)
Then [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
In today’s Gospel according to Luke, the transfiguration of Jesus occurs immediately after this passage. So in speaking of the daily task of Christians, Jesus refers also to his own passion, death, and resurrection. Jesus first announces to the disciples his suffering, death, and resurrection and then turns to speak to all of denying oneself and picking up one’s cross. In the paradox of dying to self to live in Christ, Jesus is the template; he goes first for the sake of all of us. To follow Jesus is to choose life, to heed God’s voice, to be obedient to the Father’s will. As Moses said to the Israelites: “Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.”
God, help me today to choose your will out of love for you. In that love, give me strength in choosing to deny myself to live in Christ. Keep me alert to the needs of others, aware of my imperfections that prevent me from seeing you present in that moment. Give me the grace, Lord, to recognize your will, to be fully aware of it, and to choose to accomplish it. Be my constant help!
From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.