Thursday,
February 19, 2015
1st Reading: Dt 30:15–20
Gospel: Lk 9:22–25
Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”
Jesus also said to all the people, “If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself?”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Today’s Gospel opens with a reference to Jesus as “Son of Man”. In earlier references, Luke used the title “Son of Man” alongside Jesus’ power to heal and forgive (Luke 5:24, healing of the Paralytic) and his power over the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). Today’s Gospel uses the same title to describe Jesus’ humiliation in the hands of the elders.
Today’s Gospel is Luke’s sequel to the Caesarea Philippi interrogation where Peter gave the right answer that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus warned them strictly to keep the answer to themselves (Lk. 9:21) because their answer was associated with political power. The Messiah had to be viewed from the right perspective of the cross.
Luke specifically mentions that Jesus addressed himself “to all the people” when he said: “If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me…” The same is addressed to us in the same order or sequence.
Discipleship begins with self denial, progresses to the taking up of one’s cross and climaxes in the following of Christ.
Lent is our time to deepen self denial through fasting and abstinence. Anyone over the age of 18 but below the age of 60 is required to reduce food intake to only one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days and on all Fridays of Lent, anyone above age 14 is required to abstain from meat. The practice aims at disciplining the body to attain better spiritual focus. It is also meant to free the resources we normally lavish ourselves with for the poor.
The perspective of Jesus with the cross in the background does not disregard his image as Lord of the Sabbath and as healer and forgiver of sins. These images actually perfect our Lenten observance. As Son of Man with the power to forgive, he is our focus in this season of repentance. As Lord of the Sabbath he draws us from the legalistic observance of fasting and abstinence unto Himself – the Lord of the Sabbath. – Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.frdan.org
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