For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 16:25

       The man we know as Saint Francis of Assisi was not always so “saintly.” In his young adulthood, he lived a life of partying and pleasure, very carefree. Being born into a rich family, he had everything a guy could want. But because of a series of events, Francis realized that he wanted to change. He decided he would live for God. He left the lavish lifestyle he led. He began to give away his belongings and upon his interpretation of Jesus’ message in a vision, he even sold his father’s expensive fabrics to help rebuild a chapel. His father disapproved of Francis’ behavior, so Francis cut himself off from his family completely, literally taking the clothes off his back. He lived in poverty while ministering to the needs of others, later on becoming one of the more popular and well-loved saints, so much so that our Pope has taken on his name.

       Our worldly attachments — riches, popularity, vanity, pleasure, pride — are things that can hinder us from focusing on

what is truly important. In denying all these, Francis found a life of meaning. In giving up all he had, he gained eternal life. Like St. Francis, may we find ourselves detached from this world, and immersed in His work, that we, too, can be called “saints” one day. Geraldine G. Catral (catral.geegee@beaconschool.ph)

Reflection: What do you truly value in life? How is it drawing you closer to God?

Lord, You are my true treasure. May I be ready to give up all for You.

Our powerful God can pick up the pieces and restore nations to prosperity. However, we must trust and follow Him. Faithfulness to God is the greatest facilitator of His blessings. God’s blessings are never far from those who walk in His ways according to His Word and will.

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7

1 See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah, fulfill your vows! For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed. 2 [3] The Lord will restore the vine of Jacob, the pride of Israel, though ravagers have ravaged them and ruined the tendrils. 3:1 Woe to the bloody city, all lies, full of plunder, whose looting never stops! 2 The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, 3 cavalry charging, the  flame of the sword, the flash of the spear, the many slain, the heaping corpses, the endless bodies to stumble upon! 6 I will cast filth upon you, disgrace you and put you to shame; 7 till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying, “Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her? Where can one find any to console her?”

Deuteronomy 32:35-36, 39, 41

R: It is I who deal death and give life.

35 Close at hand is the day of their disaster and their doom is rushing upon them! 36 Surely, the Lord shall do justice for his people; on his servants he shall have pity. (R) 39 “Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them.” (R) 41 I will sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver. With vengeance I will repay my foes and requite those who hate me.” (R)

Discipleship is at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. Jesus emphasizes that becoming His disciple will involve difficulties and even suffering. This is the cross we are called to carry. Let us remember, however, that we are victorious even in the midst of suffering and trials because the cross is not the end of the story. Jesus is risen and we share in His victory.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 16:24-28

24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. 28 Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

think: We are victorious even in the midst of suffering and trials because the cross is not the end of the story. Jesus is risen and we share in His victory.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Maccabees 9-10  

IN LOSING OUR LIVES, WE FIND TRUE LIFE

As Jesus moved one step further in His teaching, some of His followers walked away. Following Jesus entails conditions unacceptable for some. It involves solidarity with His mission and destiny. This is difficult to understand especially when we are exposed to violence that destroys innocent lives. We are also tempted to walk away. Why do we need to take up the cross? How can the cross be God’s way of redeeming humanity?

       Like the disciples, we may be afraid and confused. But Jesus invites us to journey with Him to Jerusalem and the cross. He wants us to be willing to lay down our lives for the suffering humanity and to follow Him on the path to martyrdom for the coming of God’s reign of peace. When God embraced the cross, He absolutely expressed His solidarity with us.

       As we go with Jesus to face a world of injustice, we need to prepare ourselves. We have to re-learn the lessons of the Gospel. As we carry our cross — the cross of the world — we walk in the spirit of creative love to disarm the world. To be a disciple of Jesus is to carry the cross. We are called to freely submit ourselves to all kinds of suffering which humankind is afflicted with, like fear, anxiety, physical hunger and thirst, pain and death. To be in solidarity with them is to be near to the crucified people of modern times. In losing our lives, we find true life.

     Albert Nolan in his book, Jesus before Christianity, expresses the wisdom of Jesus’ teaching in living a life of service for the other. He said, “To save one’s life means to hold on to it, to love it and be attached to it and therefore to fear death. To lose one’s life is to let go of it, to be detached from it and therefore to be willing to die. The paradox is that the person who fears death is already dead, whereas the person who has ceased to fear death has, at that moment, begun to live. A life that is genuine and worthwhile is only possible once one is willing to die — willingness to die for others.” Fr. Alex Balatbat

REFLECTION QUESTION: Who are the saints, prophets and martyrs who inspire you to follow Jesus on the path of love by carrying the cross?

Jesus, help me to walk with You for the healing of the world. Give me the grace to rise up to new life and follow You more closely for the rest of my life. Amen.