“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
18th February 2022
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FRIDAY, SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Priest
Jas 2: 14-24, 26; Ps 112: 1-6; Mk 8: 34 - 9: 1
Proper Readings: 2 Cor 4:1-2, 5-7; Ps 16: 1-2, 5-8, 11; Mt 9: 35-38
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A CALL TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM
Today we are celebrating the memorial of an Indian saint, Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the founder of the congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). Throughout his life, he was guided by the conviction that “days, on which you have not rendered any good to others, will not be reckoned in the book of your life”. As a truly pious man, he reiterated that the love of God should translate itself into service to the poor, the illiterate and the destitute. We can boldly say that he was a man who denied himself in order to follow Christ wholeheartedly. This is also the gospel passage we have for our reflection today: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
To follow Christ we need to accept our crosses. Two crosses stand before each of us in this life – the cross of the world and the cross of Christ. We need to make a choice. The cross of the world has an insidious appeal. It presents itself as a shortcut to happiness and is initially easy to carry. However, with time, it becomes heavier and the happiness fizzles out. The cross of Christ appears difficult and challenging at the start, but gets easier over the years if one perseveres in carrying it faithfully. Eventually, it will bring us happiness without end.
The Lord’s call to self-denial is not a call to self-hatred or self-rejection, but to seek Christ, his ways and his glory above our own. While, by natural instinct we tend to consider ourselves and our desires as supreme, as followers of Jesus we are called to pursue him above all else. The call to follow Jesus is a high and costly calling. Those who give their lives to him are submitting themselves to a life of self-denial, sacrifice and suffering. Yet, it is also a life that leads to joy, peace and hope.
Response It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.
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