Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 9, 2024

Date: Friday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

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:

Today’s gospel text recounts Jesus’ exhortation to his disciples to deny self, take up their own crosses, and follow Christ noting that it is only in giving one’s life for love of Christ that one saves one’s life.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I open to the suffering of life that comes with discipleship?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us as our brother and from our midst to bring salvation from You, through Him and His selfless sacrifice, in the Spirit. If we desire to follow Him, common sense tells us our lives will involve the cross. Send the Spirit to strengthen our resolve to embrace the cross of our lives and to choose to follow in your Son’s footsteps. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.