The first full day of Lent presents us with a life-defining Choice . Moses stands before the people and says, "I have set before you l...
The first full day of Lent presents us with a life-defining Choice. Moses stands before the people and says, "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life." This sounds like an easy choice, but as Jesus clarifies in the Gospel, "choosing life" often involves embracing a certain kind of "death."
Jesus tells His disciples: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his Cross daily." In the ancient world, the cross was a sign of shame and execution. To Jesus, it is the path to glory. He warns us of a terrifying Consequence: "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?"
We often think we can find life by accumulating things, seeking comfort, or avoiding pain. Jesus flips the script. To "save" your life in the worldly sense is to lose your soul. To "lose" your life for His sake—to give it away in service, in sacrifice, and in love—is to truly find it.
Today, you are at a crossroads. Every decision you make—how you speak to your spouse, how you handle your money, how you spend your time—is a vote for "Life" or "Death." Don't be afraid of the cross you are carrying this Lent. It is not an obstacle to your happiness; it is the very vehicle that will carry you to the Resurrection.
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