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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“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.”

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– Luke 9:23-24 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Very often,

as we wonder about whether we should do something, which we know is contrary to Jesus’ teachings,

we hear the world tell us

“Oh go ahead, get a life – just do it. After all you only live once!”

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This is the advice – specific or implicit – which an increasingly God-less society gives,

and it effects all of us, as it penetrates the mind-set of society

and seeks to change our attitude towards morality.

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In full contrast to all this, Jesus counsels us

and warns us that if we just go ahead with the so-called ‘getting a life’,

in order to satisfy those desires which He tells us we should not,

then we will spiritually lose our way

and also His promise of an eternal life, as a consequence.

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‘Getting a life’, for a true Christian, should mean following Jesus

and doing what He tells us.

Earning eternal life should be our ultimate aim,

but it all depends on how we live our life now.

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QUOTE…

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"There is no doubt about it:

a person who loves pleasure,

who seeks comfort,

who flees from anything that might spell suffering,

who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames

and who becomes impatient at the least little thing which does not go his way

– a person like that is a Christian only in name;

he is only a dishonour to his religion

for Jesus Christ has said so:

“If any want to become my followers,

let them deny themselves

and take up their cross daily and follow me”“

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– St. John Mary Vianney

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, You are my life. Lead me.

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