“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?”

mark 8:36

Mark 8:34 – 9:1

Reflection

Jesus gathers his disciples and a large crowd. He tells them how following him will require one to take up their cross and lose their life. Anyone who wants to save their life will lose it.

Jesus tells us that we must ‘lose’ our life if we follow him. This might be financially, occupationally, physically, societally, etc. All the ways in which you reject the world for Christ can bring you closer to him and heaven. Are you willing to lose your life for the sake of Christ?

Jesus also asks us how it profits a person to gain the entire world but forfeit their life. Many of us are ambitious in various aspects, and might be willing to forsake Christ for personal glory. Yet if we gain and achieve what the world thinks is good, we risk our faith and risk losing sight of our true goal – getting to heaven.

Jesus wants to give you eternity, much more than this earthly world and life. Will you give up the ambitions of this world and let Christ guide your life? Reflect on how you can take up your cross with Christ and lose your life for his sake.

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Saint of the Day

St. Severian: died AD 452

St. Severian was a bishop in Galilee. He participated in the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, which helped the orthodox cause against heretics during that time. While returning home from the Council, he was assassinated by a group of heretics. St. Severian, pray for us!