To read the texts click on the texts: Deut 30:15-20; Lk9:22-25
On the day following Ash
Wednesday, the church makes explicit through the choice of the readings what
the overarching theme of the season will be. It has to do with suffering, the cross
and death, which here, is not primarily physical death, but death to self and
the ego.
This is seen clearly in the
first passion and resurrection prediction in the Gospel of Luke which is part
of the text for today. Like in the other two synoptic gospels, the prediction
in Luke appears immediately after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ.
Immediately following Peter’s confession Jesus sternly commands the disciples
not to tell anyone of this. This is because he does not want to be
misunderstood as a glorious and triumphant Messiah or as one who will come
conquering, but as a Messiah who will suffer and die. This is because God has
ordained it and Jesus will always be obedient to God’s commands.
Anyone who wishes to follow
Jesus must be of the same mind. The first saying on discipleship which follows
emphasizes not so much the readiness to die for Jesus as much as the courage to
persevere in following him. This is why Luke adds the word “daily” after the
call to take up the cross. It is in spending oneself for the good of others
rather than pursuing one’s own selfish ambitions that true joy, peace and fulfilment
can be found. Paradoxically, spending one’s life for others results in gaining
one’s life. The final saying of the Gospel of today cuts the ground from under
our preoccupation with material and temporary wealth. What will we have gained,
even if we acquire all the possessions in the world, but lose ourselves in the
process? This saying reminds us that there are dimensions of life vital to fulfilment
and happiness that are not satisfied by financial security or material wealth.
The impulse to succeed in a
given profession, to acquire material possessions, and to prosper is powerful.
In a materialistic culture we are easily seduced by the assumption that
security and fulfilment are achieved by means of financial prosperity. We
strive for things that do not last and in the process of our striving, are not
able to see the beauty that life has to offer. We exist without really having
lived. The challenge is to seek for that which brings real fulfilment and not
illusory happiness.
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