Mt 16: 24-28
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
People for Others
I sat down to read today’s readings mindlessly munching a box of cookies. I read the words of Jesus, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves” (Mt 16:24). Instantly, I put the box of cookies away. Denying myself delicious cookies was probably not the intended message. It is easy to see denying oneself only as a “saying no” to something desired, but I feel called to look beyond denial as deprivation. Instead, it is an opportunity to say ”yes” to living for others and not ourselves.
The Ignatian principle of being “people for others,” coined by Pedro Arrupe, SJ, in 1973, is an invitation to deny ourselves by turning our attention and love to our neighbors. I can imagine Jesus saying, “If any want to become my followers, live for others, take up their injustices and struggles, and follow me.” That is our invitation today.
—Kathy Powell is the Creative Director & Content Strategist for Becky Eldredge | Ignatian Ministries. She spends her days dreaming up ways to invite people deeper in their walk with God, reminding her kids to use their inside voices, and walking with families who have lost a child by miscarriage.
Prayer
Prayer for Generosity
Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,
Teach me true generosity,
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
To give without counting the cost,
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest,
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward,
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.
Amen.
—St. Ignatius of Loyola