First reading Deuteronomy 4:32-40
‘Did ever a people before you hear the voice of the living God, and remain alive?’
Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?
‘This he showed you so that you might know that the Lord is God indeed and that there is no other. He let you hear his voice out of heaven for your instruction; on earth he let you see his great fire, and from the heart of the fire you heard his word. Because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out from Egypt, openly showing his presence and his great power, driving out in front of you nations greater and more powerful than yourself, and brought you into their land to give it you for your heritage, as it is still today.
‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’
Responsorial Psalm 76(77):12-16,21
I remember the deeds of the Lord.
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works
and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
You showed your power among the peoples.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You guided your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Gospel Matthew 16:24-28
Anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour. I tell you solemnly, there are some of these standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom.’
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Deny self: The condition of discipleship
Discipleship is not about self-fulfilment but self-denial, not self-centredness but Christ-centredness. Thus, if we truly want to follow Jesus, we must be willing to die to ourselves everyday. Are you ready to say “No” to what you want and say “Yes” to what God wants for you? To be Jesus’ disciples and follow Him closely is a daily choice.
Self-denial begins in small, seemingly insignificant practical things. As St. John Henry Newman said, “The self-denial which is pleasing to Christ consists in little things. This is plain, for the opportunity for great self-denials does not come every day. Thus to take up the cross of Christ is no great action done once and for all. It consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us”. For example, when we choose to say a kind word instead of an insult to someone or give up the right to spend money wastefully or to be honest in a business deal, etc. Each small act of denying ourselves frees us to live life loving God and others and live our lives to the fullest.
Reflective question:
How can I deny myself today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
