Living Sacrifice

"Whatever we do that is good must be done, bodily and if we do them out of love they become a living sacrifice to the living God."

What do you think it means to bear one's cross?  In today's gospel Jesus is telling us that a life lived for Christ is not going to be an easy journey.  He tells us that in order to be his disciples we must pick up our crosses daily.  Being a disciple is not an easy journey, because we will undoubtedly suffer, but, as it has been my experience suffering is a necessary part of being a living sacrifice to God.  Today, it seems that carrying ones cross is not what the world conveys.  In fact the message so often given and received is one of laissez-faire, in other words anything goes. 

Today many children of God are living as if there was no God. Faith has dwindled little to nothing.  Skepticism and doubt are rampant.  One can look around and clearly see this is true in many instances.  The society seems to view life as their own to live regardless of the fact of whether it contradicts the will of God or not.  So, it would seem that we are living in a time where saving ones life is more important than denying oneself, taking up our crosses and following Jesus Christ where ever he wants to lead us.  If only the deceived knew how Satan's message is one of destruction and eternal damnation they surely would not want to risk this for their lives.  It is from my own experience that I can say that a life without God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, our advocate only leads to destruction of the human soul that only bears bad fruit such as selfishness, pride, lack of love for neighbor, immodesty, every man for himself, unhappiness, loss of peace and joy. 

Living a sinful life can and will only lead oneself to feelings of guilt, shame and eventually despair.  I am here to testify that there is is no life unless you are living a life for Jesus Christ.  I know what Satan says, "You don't want to follow him, a life lived with Jesus is like a ball and chain.  It's boring and you don't want to be a holy roly freak.!"  These and many more of his lies are just that, lies.  Satan would have us believe that there are no consequences to the choices we make outside of the will of God, but, this just is not true.  Look around you, you no doubt can see the destruction his lies have caused in yours and the lives of family and friends and society as a whole.  The loss of self respect for our bodies, the sacredness of marriage and one another has created a society permeated with sexual disease, perversion and demise to name just a few of the consequences for living a life unfitting to God.  What would God think?  A good question to ask oneself.  Would he be pleased?  There is no truth in Satan's cunning attempt to turn God's children away from a loving, compassionate, merciful and kind God.    

If we are going to live, we must think as God thinks!  There is no other way to be truly at peace and filled with endless joy.  No matter where you are now, I am hear to tell you that you do not have to stay there, I didn't and my life has been radically transformed.  The Lord is calling you to deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow him and he will lead you to a life that is fulfilled in him.  Jesus tell us he is the way the truth and the life.  We will have to account for our life and the conduct we have exhibited in our lives when Jesus comes again.  Will you have your life in order?  Or will you be caught unprepared to live for all eternity with God? 

"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?"  There is no profit.  Knowing God's will is not an easy journey.  Knowing God's will for our life is a life long process that starts with inviting God to be the beginning and the end in your life.  It takes a life of faith and prayer to carry us on this journey towards holiness as we travel towards eternal life in Heaven with God.  In my own life, I have experienced much pain and all the consequences of living a Godless life and it has not been easy, but, with God I now know all I have to do is trust in Jesus and everything will be okay, even in the darkest valleys of my life.  For now instead of running away from the cross I run to the Cross where I find peace.  My God gives me the courage and the strength I need to not give up on what I believe and on Jesus.  You can take everything away from me, but, you will never take away the love of God in my soul and therefore, not even my joy can you steal.  God loves you and he is calling you to him, won't you pick up your cross and follow him.  Reflect on your own process of discerning God's will for your life?  If you are willing share a personal experience of discernment with us here. 

Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."He turned and said to Peter,

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life"
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

http://old.usccb.org/video/reflections.shtml  See August 28, 2011 Reflection on the Gospel