The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

We can be tempted to run away from our daily crosses or try to push them onto others. However, if we want to follow Jesus, we should never be so selfish. Instead, we should deny ourselves, take up our daily crosses, and do God’s Will. Otherwise, we trade the promise of eternal life for the fleeting distractions of the worldly life. This is why Jesus tells us that in order to save our lives, we must lose them. It is because by expending our time, talents, and treasures on earthly endeavors, we rob ourselves of those heavenly things that last forever. But if we are willing to mortify ourselves by giving away our goods, praying, and fasting, then we will save up spiritual merits for ourselves and save our souls.

Are we willing to deny ourselves? Have we taken up our daily crosses without complaint? Are we willing to lose our lives in order to save our souls?

O Lord, help us to deny ourselves and take up our daily crosses.

Amen.