Thursday, March 2, 2017

Mar 2 - Thursday after Ash Wednesday

+ The readings for today are a dramatic and compelling launch into the Holy Season of Lent.  Jesus declares, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” This sacrifice: handing our imperfect self over to the One who responds by handing us back our true self through his gift of his own self on the cross. Astounding!

The Lord, in the first reading today, sets before us life and death, and asks us to “choose life!” – choose life, with all its nuances and ramifications – choose life in every single instance, every single circumstance, every single situation.

And yet, we are called upon to do this by obediently taking up Christ’s cross of death – taking up our own cross in imitation of him and his cross.

Why is this not an impossible contradiction?

Because it applies a universal spiritual principle that comes from the very creation and foundation of the world – a living, growing world, that finds itself growing and developing to its full potential by a series of apparent deaths and risings, occurrences of decay and bloom, destruction and construction.

And so, like Jesus we must reach out and grasp what appears negative, to gain what truly is positive, optimistic, hopeful and salvific.

Without a “dying,” therefore, without the demise of what is simply our own, there is no communion with God, no real community of fellows, brothers and sisters, and no redemption – and life everlasting in a family of saints.
This then is the spiritual principle of “death & resurrection” that is at the core of everything and everyone – whether it is acknowledged, celebrated or employed at all.

This Lent, let us delve more deeply into this mystery of life and choose to participate in this great dynamic that was set in place for our welfare, our happiness and our salvation.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself in the process? – and this includes everyone: including presidents, kings and potentates, and the least significant of the poor, destitute and dying! 


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