By Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Duet 30: 15-20; Lk 9: 22-25
As we reflect over the readings of the day, we can see a lot of choices placed before us. We are invited to choose between life and death, prosperity and adversity, to obey or not to God’s commandments, to deny or save ourselves, and showing concern for life or for our soul.
God’s words are not orders but following them means we are exercising our freedom of choice. Even after we choose to give importance to saving our soul with the help of the Holy Spirit, we may have some doubts in our mind; Why am I suffering when I am doing what is right? Why am I rejected even after standing for truth?
Why do some rich and/or spiritually motivated individuals attempt suicide? The above questions are not appropriate for those who follow Jesus Christ faithfully. To follow Christ and to live as faithful Christians, we must live the way Jesus requests us to live which is explained in today’s gospel. Though we may see both good and the bad, God’s spirit urges us to choose what is good, what brings grace and prosperity and what can save our soul, and not just our lives.
Our focus must be more on saving our soul not merely our life alone. In the process of saving our souls, we need to be ready to deny our life and go through the pain and suffering. Let us ask the Lord for the grace of perseverance so that all our Lenten observance in partaking
in the passion of Christ may lead us to become better Christians with faith in action.