Save Your Life by Losing It

Confident Hope Faith Gives Us Hope Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    A Preserving Faith Mark 8:31-37 The Message 30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. 32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.” 34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? For Reflection Ever since the Creation, humans have been plagued by the desire to conform to a self-determined existence rather than a life that sacrifices self. We, humans, spend our lives in defense of ourselves. Instead, the Way of Christ is quite the opposite. To what extent are you willing to serve the persons on your right and left at your personal expense?  How often do you sacrifice for the common good?   Pray Pray and have the courage to act on your inherited promise. Pray and commit yourself to the service of the Holy Spirit. Pray and place unreasonable trust in God. Forward to a friend