Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mk 8:34).
Our life is not about us, about what we can accumulate. It is not about achieving power, fame, wealth, and pursuing pleasure. Nor are we here on this earth to merely exist, to just get by, and live in survival mode. We exist to be loved by God and to love others as we have been loved.
The challenge is are we willing to truly deny ourselves, take up the cross of Jesus, and follow him? Are we willing to change the question and process of discernment from asking what we want to do to ask, “God, what do you want me to do?” How and in what way does he want us to serve and participate in his plan?
As we draw closer to the season of Lent which is less than a week away, Jesus’ invitation and these questions are good to ponder.
Picture: Leaving Cardinal Newman Wednesday night, after staying late to pray for the Middle School finals basketball game we hosted in our gym.
Spiritual Stepping Stones