Thursday, March 2, 2017
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 9:22-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030217.cfm
WHAT IS YOUR CROSS TODAY?
"Jesus said to all: 'Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny His very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps.' " -Luke 9:23
The meaning of life and of Lent is to be and make disciples for Jesus. His plan is to send us to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). To be Jesus' disciples, we must do nothing less than to lose our lives for His sake (Lk 9:24). Disciples "live no longer for themselves, but for Him Who for their sakes died and was raised up" (2 Cor 5:15; see also Gal 2:20). We lose our lives and thereby save them by denying ourselves (Lk 9:23). Self-denial is done in many ways, but the key to godly self-denial and Christian discipleship is the recognition and acceptance of our daily cross (Lk 9:23).
The daily cross is:
* suffering in the pattern of Jesus' death (Phil 3:10),
* freely chosen (see Jn 10:18),
* carried with forgiveness for those who have sinned against us,
* being crucified with Christ (Gal 2:19) by dying to self (see Jn 12:24),
* a privilege (Phil 1:29), and
* a great joy (Col 1:24; 1 Pt 4:13).
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize your daily cross for each of the first ten days of Lent. Bearing these crosses is the key to Christian self-denial and to discipleship.
Prayer: Father, may I be such a disciple that I will make disciples this Lent who will themselves make other disciples.
Promise: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life." -Dt 30:19
Praise: Dorothy's cross was her alcoholic husband, who by God's grace, she was able to love.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "A Prophetic Lent".)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2016
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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