3 ways to follow Jesus

from "Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse"

 Friday of week 18 in Ordinary Time

If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-28)

Both readings today call us to follow God's commands.  If we're challenging this thought, the question to ask is, "Is there another source or person who can  who can instruct us the path to life aside from God?"

If God is our Lord, there is no other recourse except to follow him.  He shows us the way through three things:

1.  Renounce ourselves

This day and age, there's no problem being responsible for one's life, future and happiness.  Yet, what kind of happiness are we actually referring to, this life or till eternal life?  Our faith in God calls us to adhere to his will considering his will leads us to eternal life.

2. Carry our crosses 

This world conditions us to a life of comfort.  Yet, we also understand that comfort cannot be attained unless we work for it.  And that involves making sacrifices or "carrying our crosses" so to speak.

3.   Lose our lives for Jesus

This by far is the hardest to follow; yet, the way of Jesus is the only way.  We might be carrying our own crosses and renouncing ourselves, but if we aren't one with Jesus nor have the passion to serve and love him, what's the point of our sacrifices?

Learn the path Jesus took to save us.  Better yet, let Jesus, his every thought, word, and action, be ours as well.  In losing our lives for Jesus could we actually gain true life!