“Then he said to them all, ‘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 will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
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Look at the way of the world. It’s very opposite with what Lord Jesus proclaimed. Around us are all the glitter, the love for pleasure and entertainment, the love of material sense in every breath, narcissism, love of self and all indulgences. It’s easy to go astray for our physical bodies yearn for comfort and pleasure.
Yet, it was very clear! Lord Jesus told us about the Way. It’s the way of the Cross. In the same way, I pondered on this dilemma too. Those who want to follow Jesus has to deny themselves. And that’s the very last thing we could ever do! To deny ourselves is to deny pleasure, comfort. Why? We love ourselves and we could make ourselves and pleasure as idols. That’s why we could not have Jesus and an idol at the same time.
We do not need to gain the whole world and lose our Lord, isn’t it? It’s just reasonable to think that we really have to give up those things that blocks our way to be true followers of Jesus. I admit, it is not easy! But we need to pray to gain victory in the Lord. By ourselves alone, we are helpless. We have to draw strength from the power of God. “For nothing is impossible for God.”
Let us pray that the Lord give us the graces to follow him without retreat, without hesitation. The path is not easy but the goal is sweet and blissful—to be in heaven with Him at the appointed time for eternity.
Cynthia Abegail
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