Friday, February 17, 2012

The Conditions of Discipleship

Today's Reflections




The Conditions of Discipleship

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Mk 8:34—9:1

34[Jesus] summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. 36What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37What could one give in exchange for his life? 38Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

1He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”

Reflection:
 
Whoever wishes to come after me. Jesus spells out three conditions for us to be his disciples: deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.

To deny ourselves is to make Jesus the center of our life, the first and foremost in whatever we say or do. 

We say no to the cravings and ambitions of the self and say yes to God’s will.

To take up our cross is to accept suffering and sacrifice for the sake of Jesus and God’s kingdom. We devote our life to work in the Lord’s vineyard. We are ready to serve and to suffer for Jesus and for God’s people; we are open to love and to forgive as Jesus did.

To follow Jesus is to give to Jesus our total obedience and service. We commit ourselves to him, living his life and treading his footsteps. His mission is our mission.

What cross are you taking upto walk after Jesus?

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