Jesus Tells Us What We Must Do to Obtain Eternal Life

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us what we must do to obtain eternal life.

“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.”

For many, this Gospel is beautiful . . . as well as troubling. Within the Homily, we hear we must lose one’s life to find it. Fr. de Montfort also thought about this question. In his writings The Friends of the Cross, he reflects on these same words from scripture.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (on this day the Church celebrates her memorial on August 9th), also writes about the Cross (The Science of the Cross). The Homily briefly reflects on both of these writings.

If we choose it, we will carry our own cross in following Jesus Christ. Why? Because any pursuit of perfection requires us to renounce ourselves, by renouncing worldly things.

Hear more about what Jesus tells us about the Cross. Listen to:

Jesus Tells Us What We Must Do to Obtain Eternal Life.

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Image:

Christ Carrying His Cross: Italian Painter: El Greco: 1580

The painting resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 24-28