Dear parishioners            

I would imagine that every family would have a meal together at least once a week. During these meals, stories would be shared. They delight us as they also serve as windows to every family member's lives. We learn much about each other by the stories we tell.

            In today's Gospel we are privy to a conversation between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus reveals to his disciples what will happen to him in the very near future as well as what is expected of his disciples. The forecast looked bleak and not entirely pleasant: if they want to be his disciples, they must deny themselves and carry their cross. The disciples probably did not get it the first time as evidenced by their abandoning their Lord when he was condemned to die a horrible death.

            We may not hear words like those spoken by Jesus to his disciples first hand. What we have however is the rich teaching of the Lord that comes down to us through the ages through the Church who passed it on to us as tradition. These stories and teachings handed down to us challenge us in the same way they challenged their original audience. What then are we to deny ourselves in order to follow Christ as his true disciples?

            To deny means to change those habits that detracts us from God. It is to commit ourselves to follow him in the way we live our lives. It is true that it may be hard to deny our old habits and way of doing things because they are so much a part of us. We feel incomplete without them. Humanly speaking, it is not easy for us to deny our old way of doing, saying, seeing, and thinking. However, Christ gives us his Spirit that it may be possible; through the Sacraments, especially baptism and confirmation; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit "to deny ourselves, carry our cross and follow Christ."

            Just like the stories we share with other members in the family, Jesus' story is told and retold time and time again. Every time we come to the Mass, we listen to the story, our story. We partake of his Body and Blood which in turn strengthens us for the journey ahead. The Spirit abides in us. We should deny our old way of doing that may distance ourselves from His love and take up our cross and never be afraid!

Fr. Thai Le ,  

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