For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. – Luke 9:24

       You are sleeping soundly in your bed one night when you hear a loud explosion outside followed by gunshots and screams. An army of militants has just broken into your city, searching for innocent civilians, like you and your family. Soon, you discover that they have broken into your house and have captured your mother, father and siblings. You are next. You know you have no chance to escape.

       This may sound far-fetched, but this has been true for hundreds of people living in Northeastern Syria. As I write this, CNN reports that the ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has abducted at least 90 Assyrians, including hundreds more of Christians. They were sent an ultimatum that read: “Convert to Islam, pay a fine, or face ‘death by sword.’”

       Today, Jesus tells us, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

       Some are blessed with this call of martyrdom. They are not afraid to suffer and perish for the faith. But for us who are not called to that extreme suffering, do we likewise die to ourselves each day with the small sacrifices we are called to make?

Pope Francis Says:“In a world marked by suffering and fierce persecution — especially of Christians — now ‘is the time for mercy.’”

Lord, give me courage and commitment to do Your will, no matter how big or small.

There are a number of messianic allusions in Zechariah’s prophecy. It is close to a description of the Passion of Jesus. In human history, there are people who will remind us of the selflessness of Christ. Let us be inspired and encouraged by them so that we may mirror Christ’s life and values to the world.

Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 13:1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R) 7 [8] You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 8 [9] My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. (R)

The important words here are “through faith.” Salvation is not something we can earn — we receive it through faith in Christ. Through the seal of baptism, we belong to Christ. Jesus is our Master and Lord, albeit a good and merciful master.

26 Brothers and sisters: Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

GOSPEL

Today’s Gospel challenges us to answer for ourselves who Christ is. Our answer will set us on a particular path for the rest of our lives if we are faithful to it. Acknowledging who Jesus is will mold our identity in the world where we live. Are you ready to answer this question?

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. 22 He 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.” 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

think: Acknowledging who Jesus is will mold our identity in the world where we live.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

OUR GENUINE IDENTITY IN CHRIST

On this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we have a most remarkable episode in Jesus’ life. We can say that it has got to do with His very identity: that is what He asks His disciples about, and that is what He speaks of, albeit in secret and with a totally topsy-turvy paradigm of His suffering, death and resurrection.

       This should inspire us to ask ourselves: From where shall we get or derive our identity? Is it just from documents like birth certificates, passports, photographs or I.D. cards? From our genograms or family trees? From our careers or professions? From the work we do and the roles we play in life? From the clothes we wear or the gadgets we use? From our Facebook posts or our Instagram pictures?

       We need not make the search any harder. Our Second Reading today from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians might help: “For through faith, you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Paul even adds a hint as to our belongingness: “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.”

     Our real identity is in God. The more we accept this vital and fundamental truth, the better it will be for us. But let us also keep in mind the crucial consequence of this. Our Lord Jesus Himself declares it: Like father, like son; like master, like disciple. There’s no escaping the cross of suffering and death.

       Such is the paradox of our Christian identity: Our being of Christ or like Christ, our very selfhood, derives from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is no secret, and Jesus makes no bones about it.

       Or would you rather shy away from this and settle for fake or partial identities? Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you accepted your real identity that is derived from God?

Dearest Lord, grant me courage to follow You, no matter what the consequences may be. Amen.