The Conditions of Discipleship

Today's Reflections 
 
                                                             

The Conditions of Discipleship 

http://graceandspace.org

Lk 9:22-25

²² [Jesus] said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

²³Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for 

 

TO SAVE HIS LIFE. Saving or losing one’s life need not always point to the definitive life at the end of our earthly existence. Saving one’s life happens “daily,” that is, in ordinary circumstances. It implies enjoying life by making ourselves comfortable, rich, and powerful. And yet, even as one enjoys this kind of life, one already diminishes it—not only in God’s eyes but also before fellow human beings.

On the other hand, losing one’s life means forgetting self or lowering self so that one may have the time, energy, and disposition to serve others. It is putting others above one’s self or loving others as one loves one’s self. It is taking up one’s cross and following Jesus.

Still, Jesus speaks of the definitive life that we enter when we die or when the Lord returns in glory. This is the life that ultimately counts, one we should never lose by a degenerate, irresponsible, and selfish existence on earth.

We are called to be detached from the riches of this world, to develop contempt for worldly glory and comfort, to seek simplicity and poverty, and to welcome sacrifices for Jesus’ sake. Saints have given their lives for Jesus. How edifying it is to know of their heroic actions that sought poverty amid riches and fasting and abstinence amidst festivities.

How do you “die” to yourself daily

in order to “live” for others?

Do you cause others to “die”

(be poor, be humiliated, be in want)

because of your selfishness and avarice?