HOMILY OF THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25
THEME: LIFE THAT LOOKS TOWARD CHRIST
Our real identity is hidden in Jesus in whose image we are meant to be conformed. If we deny him, we deny ourselves. If we deny ourselves, we will lose our spiritual identity, because it is going to be like growing into what we are not meant to be.
“For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’”
However, following Jesus is a choice for life, though it is a function of self-denial. It will take us through a transition from death to life, that is, dying to our desires and clinging to God’s own merciful designs for us.
Hence, the time of lent gives us that opportunity for a journey inward. It is a time when we shut out the worldly attractions so as to know our exact calling in Christ. What we get from our inner treasures is what we offer to the world. The moment we cannot find ourselves or lose track of what we are meant to offer to the world, we would be lost searching for what the world we offer us. Though the world is waiting for us, we must first wait on the Lord who works in is to will and to do.
If we live our life as mere consumers, we cannot get any track record in the world. Posterity belongs to those whose lives are poured out as libations to make the world a better place. That is what following Jesus is like. By his cross, he embraced the pain of being human and by his resurrection he ushers us into heavenly bliss.
May we have the boldness to follow the way of his Cross that we may share his life with the people around us. He wants us to be identified with him in all we do. May our lives point to his mission on earth. Amen.
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