THURSDAY, THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Dt 30: 15-20 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 9: 22-25
CHOOSING THE WAY OF CHRIST
To be human is to be weak, vulnerable. Even when we do not merit salvation, God takes the initiative to restore our broken relationship with Him and heals our lost communion with one another. Today’s liturgy presents this invitation clearly: we can either continue on a path of destruction or undergo a change of heart. Accepting this invitation calls us to obedience. To be a Christian is a gift and an invitation that can be either accepted or rejected. Choosing Christ and following Him demands letting go—to freely renounce people, possessions and even aspects of our identity. It is a journey of moving beyond biological and social securities toward a deeper spiritual belonging that transcends physical and geographical boundaries. Since Jesus Himself suffered and was rejected, His followers must be ready to accept rejection as part of their communion with Him.
When we are led by our senses, we become distracted, disoriented and lost. Paradoxically, losing oneself is the path to true life—a shift from a self-centered existence to one that embraces all humanity. Lent invites us to practice entering through the narrow door, a choice to live beyond mere sight and move from the dominance of the senses to the reality of faith. This journey requires discipline, grace, and a life rooted in Jesus. Fixing our gaze on Christ means obeying His words, learning to love what He loved, and enduring the demanding process of becoming more like the Master. In this way, Jesus is revealed as the Way, the means, and the single point of entry into God’s Kingdom through His merciful and self-giving love.
Christian spirituality is not mere personal piety, nor is discipleship a program—it is a way of life. Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we are led beyond self-centeredness toward genuine love and service. Faith draws us out of ourselves to follow Jesus by learning, praying and serving. This journey is not about acquiring information but about gradual inner transformation. Ultimately, the true joy of discipleship lies not in the success of our service, but in being called into communion with God and chosen as coheirs of the eternal Kingdom.
Response: Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
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