Luke 9:22-25

We are in the Season of Lent, on Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

Today the evangelist Luke tells us about the first announcement of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

He opened His heart, sharing with the disciples the dramatic moment that He would soon experience. Jesus told everyone that they had to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Him. We know that the cross represents the difficulties that life presents. Jesus said that whoever lost their life for His sake would save it. He said that it was better not to lose or forfeit oneself than to gain the whole world.

This is a paradox, a contradictory idea that defies logic and common sense: losing one's life to save it. Jesus transmitted this teaching to the disciples and put it into practice. He denied Himself when He left the glory of Heaven to become Man and save men, and when He accepted suffering, the rejection of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, being killed and raised on the third day.

To be a Christian is to think and act like Christ, accepting and practicing His teachings that contradict the logic of this world. While men lose themselves and forfeit themselves in an attempt to gain the whole world, to be successful, Christians deny their selfish instincts to do the Will of God.

In this Lent that is beginning, let us accompany Jesus who freely takes up that heavy cross for our salvation, while we ourselves patiently endure the difficulties that life presents us. Let us learn from the Lord of Sorrows the art of losing in order to gain.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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