“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.” – Deuteronomy 30:19

       In the choices we make, there are always two options: life or death, blessing or curse.

        When we live life the way God wants us to live, we choose a blessed life. Unfortunately, when we live a life of sin, we choose a cursed life. I once thought I was living life to the fullest with my twisted and worldly standards. At first it was great, but little did I know I was slowly dying from within. I lost everything: my job, my family, my purpose and even the will to live. Thankfully, God rescued me by sending people who opened my eyes to His love.

        There are some things in life that are worse than death. In fact, some people who hit rock bottom would gladly welcome death as a form of escape. But that shouldn’t be the case. Jesus didn’t suffer and die just so we can live a miserable life. He rose from the dead so we can find strength to rise up from our sins.

         So what’s your pick: death or everlasting life? Curses or unlimited blessings? Sin or a loving relationship with God? Choose wisely. Choose Jesus! Monching Bueno (ramon_bueno@yahoo.com)

Father God, thank You for always picking me up every time I fall. Grant me the grace to live my life to the full, in accordance with Your will. Amen.

St. Agnes of Bohemia, pray for us.

Our choices define who we are. That is why we need to be careful about how and what we choose. Our choices affect our character and the kind of person we will become.

15 Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. 17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, 18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. 19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

R: Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) 3 He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R)

Jesus saves the world through His suffering. Many people suffer throughout their life. What is God teaching them about affliction? Let us reflect on God’s purpose for our pain. Let us pray for the grace to unite our suffering with that of Jesus on the cross and offer it for the forgiveness of sins and salvation of souls.

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

22 Jesus said to his disciples: “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. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

think: What does it mean for you to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year Hebrews 9-13

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

TAKING UP OUR CROSS DAILY

There are many things in life that seemingly don’t make sense. Especially when suffering enters our lives, our first reaction is usually to shake our head and ask, “Why? What have I done to deserve this? Where is God in this if He is a just God?” After all, many of us still have the wrong notion that suffering is a punishment.

       When Jesus announced His suffering and horrible death, I can imagine that the disciples were shocked and confused like we are when we encounter suffering. “Isn’t our Master the Messiah? Why should He suffer?” Not just suffer but being killed in the most cruel way known during that time — by crucifixion. Matthew brings us this reaction in his version of Jesus’ prediction of His death. Peter flares up and shouts, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” And we read Jesus’ own firm rebuke: “Get behind me.... You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23).

       The Church offers us this Gospel passage to make us aware that following Christ does not mean a leisurely stroll in the park but a struggle. It does not mean to receive special honors and privileges as James and John once thought. To follow Christ means to do away with one’s pride, learn humility and accept whatever comes as a way to follow Christ more closely.

       As disciples of Jesus, we have to learn to deny ourselves, as the Son of God humbled Himself, and pick up our cross at the beginning of each day, so that we might continue to follow Him throughout the day. This will help us to become more and more Christlike.

       St. Paul understood well what this meant and lived it out day by day. And so he could write to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ---------

What makes it difficult to follow Christ day by day? What is the cross that you have to take

up daily?

Lord, Your words seem harsh, but I know You want only the best for me. Bless me in a special way during this Lenten season so that I may become more conformed to You. Amen.