February 24, 2023

Repost Feb 23 along with today's post for Feb 24

Feb 23: Lk 9: 22-25

 “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 

For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

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.

Feb 24: Mt 9:14-15

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

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.

Take Up My Cross and Why Do We Fast?

Feb 23, 2023
Take Up My Cross

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a choice: save our lives and lose salvation OR lose our lives and be saved. If we choose salvation, Jesus tells us that we have to “take up [our] cross daily and follow [him].” Wait, did Jesus say daily, as in not once in a while, not just during Lent, but daily? That’s a hard sell, but it’s important to note that Jesus is asking us to take up our crosses, not be crucified. While crucifixion is about pain, suffering, and ultimately death, carrying the cross through the streets is about humiliation and shame. Each and every day we need to decide if we’re willing to lose our lives, recognize that we are not the most important person in the room, let others take center stage without being resentful, listen attentively instead of talking incessantly, and pick up our crosses and follow Jesus through the streets. 

Today, consider the things you can do (such as listen, serve, or love) and the things from which you can fast (such as sarcasm, negativity, or judgment) to be a better disciple, a true follower of Jesus. 

—Jackie Schulte is the Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Feb 24, 2023
Why Do We Fast?

The first thing that comes to mind when I read this passage from Matthew is that when we are in the presence of Christ, we must respond, and that response will take energy and strength. If we are fasting, we may lack that energy or strength. Jesus needed the disciples to be strong for him. He needed them to be with him in his public ministry just as he needs us to spread his Gospel message each and every day. That is one way I find myself responding to this passage.  

Another way is to simply look at what or who is calling us to fast. Why do we fast? We fast in response to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. We fast out of our love for him and in response to his love for us. As Jesus responds to the Pharisees, he foreshadows this reality. That is why we fast today. However, we must not let fasting be an excuse to not respond to the needs of our faith and our relationship with Jesus.   

Amen.  

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

Prayer 

Feb 23, 2023

Lord Jesus, when you walked the earth,
Your humility obscured your Kingship.
Your meekness confused the arrogant,
Hindering them from grasping your purpose,
Your nobleness attending to the destitute.
Teach me to model after your eminence,
To subject my human nature to humility.
Grant me with a natural inclination
To never view myself greater than anyone.
Banish all lingering sparks of self-importance
That could elevate me greater than you.
Let my heart always imitate your humility.
Amen

—Xavier University Jesuit Resources

Feb 24,2023

Lord, as we enter this Lenten journey of fasting and prayer, help me to remember that I do all of this for you, so that I may grow closer to you each day. Help me to prepare to stand before you at the foot of the cross, trusting in your infinite love for me. Amen.

—Jesuit Prayer team