Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it

Deut. 4:32-40, Mt. 16:24-28. The life we live is full of paradoxes. What looked great becomes small and what was born insignificantly, becomes something important. In today's first reading, Moses asks the Israelites to keep up the faith and laws that are presented before them so that they may have abundant life. Their little appreciation of the work of God in the past guarantees them fruitful life. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us: "Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it." The understanding of such paradox will keep us struggling to make ends meet especially when we come to realise that struggles and pains are inevitable.

In our life journey to the promised land, we may experience setbacks, we should take it as the crosses of our daily life. For Jesus, even these inevitable situations can be occasions of grace and growth. Accepting them with courage can make us stronger in our onward journey. Crosses can be heavy, but His grace outweighs them. In our daily routine, we may be distracted by many commitments and be swayed by the temptations of worldly things, we can always turn a new leave and take up our daily cross and continue to follow Jesus patiently.

May the Lord lift for us the burden of our daily cross! Amen!! Good morning and have a great day!!!