First Reading (Dt 30,15-20)
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Moses spoke to the people saying: “See, today I set before you life and happiness, death and misfortune. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am giving you today, loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, laws, and decrees, then you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you will certainly perish. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
Today I call heaven and earth to witness against you: I offer you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Luke 9:22-25)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord!
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Then Jesus said to all: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.
For what does it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a simple yet profound question: How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Some of you may feel refreshed and excited about the new day ahead. Others may feel tired and reluctant to leave the comfort of their beds. And there are also those who wake up with a sense of uncertainty, worry, or even despair due to the challenges they face in their lives.
Regardless of how you feel upon waking up, I believe we all share one thing in common: the desire to find meaningful purpose in our lives. We want to know that we are on the right path, that we are not just wandering aimlessly, but rather living according to God’s plan for us.
This is precisely what I would like to talk about today, inspired by the biblical readings we have just heard. The first reading, from the Book of Deuteronomy, speaks to us about the choice that lies before us. Moses says to the people of Israel: “I set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”
These words resonate deeply in our lives today. Every day, we are confronted with choices. Choices that can bring us closer to God and His plan for us, or choices that can lead us away from Him. It is important to remember that God has given us free will, the ability to choose the path we want to follow.
However, this freedom of choice should not be seen as a license to do as we please without consequences. On the contrary, our choices have real implications in our lives and the lives of others around us. Just as in the Book of Deuteronomy, we are called to choose life, to choose the path that brings us closer to God and His love.
And this is where the passage from the Gospel of Luke connects with this idea. Jesus says to his disciples: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
These words of Jesus may seem harsh at first glance, but they reveal to us a profound truth. Following Jesus entails renunciation, setting aside our own interests and selfish desires. It means embracing the cross daily, facing the challenges and difficulties we encounter along the way, knowing that God is with us in every circumstance.
But why does Jesus ask us to deny ourselves? Because He knows that often we are trapped in our own attachments and worldly concerns, which distract us from the true purpose of our lives. He invites us to look beyond our immediate needs and desires and to open ourselves to something greater, something that we will only find when we surrender our lives to Him.
Dear brothers and sisters, allow me to illustrate this truth with a story I was recently told. There was a man who lived in a small village. He was known for his generosity and compassion towards others. One day, a beggar knocked on his door, begging for food and shelter. Despite having little for himself, the man welcomed the beggar into his home and shared what little he had.
A few days later, the beggar revealed his true identity: he was an angel sent by God to test the man’s kindness. As a reward for his generosity, the man was granted a special blessing: he was blessed with a life of abundance and joy.
This story reminds us that by denying ourselves and opening ourselves to others, we are blessed in ways we cannot imagine. By choosing to follow Jesus and live according to His example, we discover a greater purpose and experience the fullness of life that God desires for us.
But how can we apply these spiritual truths in our everyday lives? How can we make choices that bring us closer to God and help us find our purpose? Allow me to offer some practical guidance.
Firstly, we need to cultivate a life of prayer. Through prayer, we connect with God, seek His guidance, and strengthen our relationship with Him. It is in prayer that we find the wisdom and strength needed to make the right choices on our journey.
Secondly, we must be mindful of our daily choices. Every decision, no matter how small, has the potential to draw us closer to or further away from God. Let us ask ourselves: “Does this choice bring me closer to God? Does it honor my faith and the teachings of Christ?”. By reflecting on this, we will be able to discern the best path forward.
Furthermore, it is important to seek guidance in the Word of God. The Bible is an endless source of wisdom and guidance for our lives. By studying the Scriptures and meditating on its teachings, we find principles that guide us in our choices and help us live according to God’s plan.
Another fundamental aspect is serving others. Jesus taught us that loving and serving others is at the heart of our faith. When we serve those in need, when we reach out to the suffering, we are following Christ’s example and finding our purpose in helping to build God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we are invited to reflect on the choices we make in our lives. We are invited to choose life, to deny ourselves, and to follow Jesus, even if it involves challenges and sacrifices. Our choices have an eternal impact, both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
May we find strength in the words of Moses and Jesus, and may we always choose life, the path that brings us closer to God. May we have the courage to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.
May the Holy Spirit guide us and enlighten us as we seek to live according to the truths of Scripture. May we be living witnesses of God’s love and grace in our lives, impacting the world around us.
And so, I conclude this homily with words of hope and encouragement: God is with us on our journey. He calls us to a life of purpose and meaning. May we walk together, always seeking to choose life and follow Jesus, so that we may experience the fullness of life that God has reserved for us.
So be it. Amen.
