“Being ready to a life of the Cross – in total discipline and deep dedication!”

(Based on Deut 30:15-20 and Lk 9:22-25 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday)

One of the greatest success technique of marketing a new product is the advertising tactic.

Companies make use of all sorts of popular gimmicks and innovative attractions.

These advertisements seek to…
… maximize users
… make sure all like the product
… give sensational information to attract more people to use

Advertisements become allurements to allow for abundant attractions and appeals!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus’ exhortation to people who wish to follow Him.

However, the only advertisement that Jesus presents is that of the Cross!
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23)

One of the clear preposition in the Mind of the Lord is: “Making a clear and convinced choice – for Him or against Him!”

In the first book of Deuteronomy, we read how the Lord clearly exhorts the people to make a definitive choice: “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity” (Dt 30:15)

It also proceeds to tell what is the expected choice in the mind of God: “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…” (Dt 30:19)

Our God wants all of us to make a choice for Him…
… and to remain fervent and faithful in this choice.

This is what Jesus – with much love and expectation – tells His Disciples: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Lk 9:23)

As we have entered the Season of Lent, the Church invites us to define and refine our choices and priorities…
… Is the Lord the most important person of my life?
… Do I choose to do actions and live a lifestyle that is pleasing to the Lord?
… Do I engage myself in activities that display the Love of God to the people in my life?

Making this choice definitely is not an easy one…
… But the Lord promises His Grace and Strength in holding on to this choice

Unlike modern day ads, Jesus doesn’t make fake or phoney promises.

He presents the truth to us – and expects us to make a conscious decision to live in Him!

Yes, advertisements of modern-day companies promise great things for happiness.

However, these happiness seldom last long!

The Lord promises much greater and lasting happiness and joy…
… those which last for eternity

But these will be delivered only if we make the determination and resolution to follow Him closer and to live as per His commands!

Shall we be ready to embrace this call and exhortation of the Lord?

Shall we be ready to get attracted to a life of the Cross – total discipline and deep dedication?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
One can distinguish between two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual…
… the latter being subdivided into the allegorical, moral and anagogical sense.

The profound concordance of the four senses guarantees all its richness to the living reading of Scripture in the Church.
The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation.
The spiritual sense. Thanks to the unity of God’s plan, not only the text of Scripture but also the realities and events about which it speaks can be signs.
… the allegorical sense. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ’s victory and also of Christian Baptism.
… the moral sense. the events reported in Scripture ought to lead us to act justly. As St. Paul says, they were written “for our instruction”
… the anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, “leading”). We can view realities and events in terms of their eternal significance, leading us toward our true homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem (CCC 115-117)

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