Most of us are uncomfortable with the notion of suffering and denial. We work overtime at being strong, independent, self-assured. Yet, suffering and self-denial are part of Christ’s ministry and part of the discipleship of those who follow Jesus.
Reflecting on Luke 9:23-24, Bishop Bruce R. Ough noted in his Ash Wednesday message that Jesus is calling us to live as he did. “Jesus is calling us to address the problems and issues people face—disease, poverty, prejudice, hunger, loneliness, hatred, fear, sin—with a generosity, compassion, and love that the world will likely consider strange, yet wonderful,” he said. “To lose your life for Jesus’ sake is to live out of God’s abundance, when the world says hoard your resources. To lose your life for Jesus’ sake is to witness for peace, when the world is mad with war. To lose your life for Jesus’ sake is to seek justice, when the world says look out for yourself. To lose your life for Jesus’ sake is to die to one’s selfishness, so that others may have abundant life. To live and witness as Christ did is to take up these crosses for his sake.”
