Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thursday after Ash Wednesday - 2013


Scripture:
"Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

Reflection:
Self-denial. Cross-bearing. Follow-the-Leader. In a day when self-promotion, crown-wearing and wanting to call all the shots seems to be the the mindset of the general populace - even within the Church - these don't sound like great selling points to market your "product." Jesus didn't offer a religion of convenience, nor did He promise a life of comfort. As Lutheran pastor and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoffer said in book, The Cost of Discipleship, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." The Master calls. He set the example. How will we respond?

Prayer:
Lord, we have heard the call. We have heard the terms of discipleship. We count the cost. May we not be content being mere believers, but put within us the desire be true followers. Your steps, your example goes before us. May we walk in those steps as you lead us through this life unto the next. May we be reminded that it is only your steps that lead to your Kingdom, and that our steps would lead us elsewhere. For the sake of the Master we ask this. Amen

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