15 February, 2024 | Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Reading 1: Dt 30:15-20 Gospel Lk 9:22-25 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” Reflection: Jesus goes on to say that anyone who wants to be one of his followers must be ready to renounce themselves, and be prepared to walk the same path, carrying their cross after Him. Lent is traditionally a time when we renounce ourselves. We ask ourselves what it is we need to let go of, to give up to follow the Lord more closely. We all have something we need to let go of; it might be some excessive attachment that is holding us back, or some habit that is n