Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Luke 9:22-25
Moses’ declaration, “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom” (Deut 30:15), encapsulates a fundamental existential principle: the omnipresent capacity for choice. This assertion holds even amid dire circumstances where one’s liberty, autonomy, and life may be jeopardized; our inherent freedom of choice remains inviolable.
We can observe this concept vividly illustrated in the life of Jesus. Confronted with incessant criticism, persecution, threats to his safety, and ultimately arrest, He consistently chose a trajectory of “life.” This choice was not a capitulation to external pressures or a desire for comfort but rather a commitment to a path that reflects divine purpose. His actions, teachings, and words resonate throughout history, exemplifying an unwavering dedication to life and mission.
We are therefore called to maintain a similar commitment—to prioritize the will of God, even in the face of adversity. Living for God often entails bearing one’s cross, an invitation to engage with suffering, sacrifice, and service in the name of Jesus. These crosses manifest in diverse forms, whether through personal trials, the burden of others’ struggles, or supporting individuals as they navigate their limitations.
Jesus possesses an innate understanding of our hearts and recognizes the weight of the crosses we bear for the sake of love—both for Him and for our neighbors. As we have begun the Lenten season, we might consider our journeys akin to that of Simon of Cyrene. He bore an imposed cross, yet chose to carry it freely, embodying the understanding that Jesus remains intimately present with us during such trials.
Fr Joseph Osho