Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” This question found in today’s gospel is one that we must remind ourselves of daily. We must let go of our earthly desires for worldly gain so that we might not lose our desire for eternal life. We keep our eyes on Jesus, the bearer of the good news that announces an eternal life of peace. A second question is asked of us, “What can one give in exchange for his life?” We can give nothing in exchange for our life, but rather, Christ came to make this exchange on our behalf. Jesus gave his all, his life on the cross so that through his love and sacrifice we might gain our lives for God. This is why we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow after him so that we might enter into his divine sacrifice and lose our life in order to save it. We take up our crosses in many different ways; we endure persecutions both small and great. We seek to help those in need. We bare our trials and burdens with love, patience, and fidelity. And we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who gives us the strength to persevere in taking up his cross.
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections