Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 11, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Memorial of St. Clare

Scripture Text: Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today is drawn again from the Gospel of Matthew. This episode occurs between Jesus’ first prediction of his death and resurrection and His transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James and John.

In this text, as mentioned above, immediately following His first prediction of his death and resurrection with his disciples, Jesus defines discipleship as “take up his cross, and follow me.” No longer are His disciples to think of themselves only as repeaters of his teachings. They are to walk in His footsteps which will include bearing their own crosses, suffering for the mission of Christ, for Christ himself.

Jesus then uses a paradox to jar the disciples, turning the expected on its head. If we hold too tightly onto the life of this world, we will lose the life we long for, the life of eternal abundance in union with our LORD. So, Christ tells us to deny ourselves, to set down our egos and instead pick up our cross, the demands of living as His disciples, and follow Him.

When Jesus speaks of the Son of Man coming with angels in His Father’s glory, he is not speaking of the end of time but rather his resurrection, when his role as Messiah and King is clearly established.

How does this pertain to us today?

Following Jesus today still requires that set down our egos and pick up our mantles of discipleship as well as our own cross which we must bear as we follow in Christ’s footsteps. Each of us, if we are truly following Christ, authentically, will have to endure hardships and suffering. But is we are willing to carry on and set down worldly goals for Christ’s mission, we will find our journey leads us where we want to go – home to our Almighty Father and life in abundance.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I avoid commitments to Christ in real time because it is “a cross” to bear? Do I worry more about what the world thinks of me and my life than of who I am becoming and who I am called to become?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to us as our brother to teach us “the Truth,” to model for us “The Way” so that we might have “Life” in abundance. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve to live as the disciples of your only-begotten Son always and everywhere, most especially during times of suffering and difficulty. Give us the courage we need to pick up our own crosses on this essential journey and to follow faithfully in the footsteps of your beloved Son. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.