Mark 8:34
34 Then Jesus called the people and his disciples and said, “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.
Beloved Jesus, You invite all people as well as Your disciples to a radical discipleship if we wish to be truly committed in our walk with You. It is a free choice there is no coercion. We can either say, 'Yes,' or 'No.' There is no compulsion. You will never force us to do anything. Our free will is Your greatest gift to us and You will not revoke it. Our loving and obedient response to Your call while striving to align our will to Your own, is so pleasing to You, our Divine Lover, that You will always outdo us in generosity.
The cost of discipleship is not easy it involves denying the self, the flesh, the senses. Anyone who has lived a self indulgent life even in the most normal circumstances, without any grave and or sinful addictions, will know that it is virtually impossible, without grace, to curb our natural appetites which while they may be lawful, are an impediment to spiritual growth.
How difficult it is to crucify our will 24/7, 365 days of the year. We have to war with our lower nature and discipline ourselves to answer the divine call.
If : my choice
I : personally
want : desire, yearn
to follow Christ : to be His disciple
deny yourself : I must curb self indulgence and align my will to His.
take up your cross : I must accept with fortitude
whatever circumstances I am faced with each moment
whether it is sickness, disappointment, loss, pain,
whatever circumstances I am faced with each moment
whether it is sickness, disappointment, loss, pain,
death, trials or anything else.
and follow Christ : My focus must always be on Him never on myself
or on any other creature. I must focus even less on
the cross I am called to carry rather, my whole attention
must be riveted on Christ, following Him as closely
as can. I will never be lost if I follow Him. In this alone
is my true, perfect and lasting peace and joy.
What do you find most difficult to deny yourself each day?
You are called to bring your entire self under the command of My Holy Spirit aware that you cannot accomplish anything on your own. With My help alone will you be able to follow Me. Remember that You cannot fool Me but you can and will delude yourself so ask constantly for help and then accept it. I am with you always so never allow yourself to get discouraged. This is a daily and lifelong battle with small victories each day through grace.
Daily Mass Readings: Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 6:12-19,
Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11
Colossians 2:6-15
Verse six begins with a challenge. "If you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, let Him be Your doctrine." Each of these verses must be savored for in them Paul discloses a wealth of truth. The whole cosmos is subject to You my Beloved. Everything in heaven, on earth and under the earth are Yours to command and all power has been given to You by Your Father.
Luke 6:12-19
Verse 12 says, "Jesus went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with God."
Verse 17 - 19
17 Coming down the hill with them, Jesus stood on a level place. Many of his disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.
18 They gathered to hear him and be healed of their diseases; likewise people troubled by evil spirits were healed.
19 The entire crowd tried to touch him because of the power that went out from him and healed them all.
In these verses St. Luke tells us that You spent the whole night in prayer with Your Father before You chose the twelve Apostles and on this rock sold foundation You chose to build Your Church.
Each one of us is too is personally chosen by God Himself through You, the Beloved. On Zion's Hill, the New Jerusalem, the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is firmly rooted and established in You. From here Your Church descends to invite and welcome people from every nation, creed, race, language, culture and color to a close a personal, close and total relationship with You in this Church which is also Your Bride.
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