Thursday after Ash Wednesday Spiritual Diet

Deut. 30:15-20, Lk 9:22-25. Deuteronomy, a book much loved and used by Jesus, sees fidelity as the key to the future of God’s people. Today's first reading lays out the two choices which the Israelites have: life with God through obedience to precepts of God, or death through disobedience: “By walking in his ways, you shall live...but if your heart turns away and you do not hear, you shall perish.” In this final admonition to the people led out of slavery into the Promised Land, the direction pointing to the right path is given with a heartfelt appeal to “Choose life.” To choose life means that we must be ready for some measures of self-sacrifice. Lent is traditionally a time for self-denial. We pray about what change may be needed in our lives, what we should give up, or take up in order to follow Christ more closely. Is there some misguided attachments holding us back, or some habits that is not for our good? Self sacrifice and renunciation are more difficult today because modern culture encourages us to indulge all our desires.

Voluntary renunciation has a positive meaning. Giving up something for Lent is always with a view to living life more fully. Deuteronomy puts it positively, “Choose life,” and Jesus says in today's Gospel that if we lose our life for His sake we will save it. Our Lord is aware of His impending death, yet He does not give in to revenge. He rather focuses on the participation of His disciples in their redemption. Thus, He invites us to emulate His example: Deny oneself, take up the Cross daily. Lenten season reminds us that Jesus, though aware of His impending death, persevered, carried His energy-sapping Cross to the end. Today, He renews His invitation that we copy His example perseveringly, because, by so doing we cooperate 'en route' to our eternal salvation.

May the Lord help us to remain steadfast to the end in our resolve to choose life as we mortify ourselves! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!