February 17, 2023

Mk 8:34—9:1

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 

Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Sharing the Love with Joy

What are we living for? What is our purpose in life? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What gives your life meaning? Jesus is calling us to live for him! Living for Jesus means that we cannot live as the world is calling us to live, striving for wealth and fame and success. Taking up our cross does not necessarily mean that we must live a challenging life and “offer it up” for Jesus. There is nothing wrong with that, and some may find that in life. But, taking up our cross means that we are called to direct our entire life to Christ: our relationships, our endeavors, our careers, our highs and our lows. Jesus lived for us and died on the cross for us. Our lives must model the same…living and dying for Jesus and for others!  

There is no amount of money or possessions that can give anyone the joy and peace that comes from living for Jesus. The love that we find in Christ is boundless. There are limits to our material possessions but there is no limit to how much love we can feel in Christ and how much of Jesus’ love we can share with others. We are called to share that love with confidence and joy! Amen!

—Ed DeVenney is a campus minister at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland.

Prayer 

Lord, help me to embrace the joy and peace that comes from you, and share it with those I encounter each day. Amen.

—Jesuit Prayer team