Embracing the cross of self-denial

My audio of this reflection is podcast at:http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/podcasts/
Good News ReflectionThursday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 26, 2009
Today's Readings:Deut 30:15-20Ps 1:1-4, 6Luke 9:22-25http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022609.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_26.mp3
Embracing the cross of self-denial
Walking close to Jesus is not easy. In fact, it's the most challenging way to live! Jesus describes how to follow him in today's Gospel passage. He says that we have to DENY ourselves. Oh phooey, that's no fun!
However, it's the only way to embrace our crosses. We want to get rid of them, but the only way to experience the thrill of resurrection victory is to go THROUGH the cross. This means accepting our crosses instead of tossing them.
Can you embrace the difficulties in your life as you would a good friend? Indeed, that is what trials are: They are good friends if we let them bring us closer to God, if we let them mentor us into greater holiness, if we let them stretch our ability to love and forgive those who make our journey unpleasant.
This is what it means to deny ourselves. It does not mean ignoring our own personal needs. Nor does it mean treating ourselves poorly. It does not mean that we become our own worst enemy.
Denying ourselves means that we "lose our lives", as Jesus put it, in the crosses that we embrace, rather than fight to protect the lives we'd prefer to have. Don't we want everything to go OUR way? And when things don't go our way, don't we want to cajole and manipulate and pray and plead to protect the illusion of how our lives "should" be (it's an illusion because it's our idea, but it's not reality)?
We could, if we worked at it long enough, make our lives into what we think is best for us. But what is the cost of that? Jesus says it destroys us. We lose touch with God. We lose human relationships. We lose ourselves in the process of getting what we want.
In today's first reading, Moses invites us to choose between God's ways and our own ways. He points out the advantages and disadvantages of our decisions.
Of course we want to do things God's way. But embracing our crosses and denying ourselves is painful, oh so painful!
There is only one way to do it: We must also embrace Jesus (and thus let him embrace us) as we cry our way through the Way of the Cross.
As we read in today's responsorial Psalm, happy are we when we hope in the Lord. The joy that's available in suffering comes from trusting God for a good future, and from being rooted in the Holy Spirit who affirms us, and from realizing that the Lord will transform every curse into a blessing.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: Name one thing you need to deny or let die in yourself for the sake of loving others more fully. After you identify it, get rid of it with the help of Jesus and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe