Monday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
What Jesus is saying is that, since this life here on earth offers nothing but empty promises and despair, work and bear fruit for the kingdom of heaven and store up, with humility on earth, riches in heaven.
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Lawrence, a man who recognized the empty promises of wealth, fame, and fortune in this world and stores up riches in heaven by converting pagans and giving the wealth of the Church to the poor. As St. Lawrence did, we should lay down our lives daily and ask the Lord for his help because we are weak, and we need his strength to carry on, to help win souls for the kingdom of heaven!
I ask you, what are some ways that you can lay down your life daily? Could it be “fasting” from your electronic device for an hour or two? Or maybe having one cup of coffee instead of two? Or offering up pain and hurt, that we feel both physically and mentally for the poorest sinner, that he or she may be converted. This is easier said than done, but if we have the faith the size of a mustard seed, then we could move the mountains of faith.
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources