"Trying to save one's own skin by denying Jesus

will only result in the loss of eternal life, of intimate union with God."

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

See, I set before you on this day life and good,

Evil and death.   I command you to love Yahweh, your God and follow his ways. Observe his commandments, his norms and his laws, and you will live and increase, and Yahweh will give you his blessing in the land you are going to possess.   

But if your heart turns away and does not listen, if you are drawn away and bow before other gods to serve them,   I declare on this day that you shall perish. You shall not last in the land you are going to occupy on the other side of the Jordan.

Let the heavens and the earth listen, that they may be witnesses against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live,   loving Yahweh, listening to his voice, and being one with him. In this is life for you and length of days in the land which Yahweh swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isa­ac and Jacob.”

 

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 9:22-25

 And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

 Jesus also said to all the people, “If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me.  For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.  What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself?

 

Gospel Reflection：

Koan of Faith

Every truthful guru will teach you that authentic religion is paradoxical in its practice, koan-like. It destroys our common sensical safety-first approaches to life and burns the bridges on both ends as we pass.

Look at the first reading today: God places before us two options: life and death, and he invites us to choose life. But what he leaves unsaid, or rather, leaves for Christ to clarify through his word and deed, is that the only way to choose life is by choosing death!

The Son of Man will die only to rise again into life. And if anyone wants to follow Him, she or he must deny oneself, lose life, embrace death, so as to find life in is fullness. The more we cling to life, greater the danger of losing it permanently. What you let go, comes back to you more intimately and permanently than ever.