to save his life

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.” (MK 8: 34-35)

Again and again Our Lord reminds us that there is only one way to reach our full potential as God’s children—to be givers of selves, which means: “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.” “Deny yourself,” because you live for the beauty of your spouse; “take up your cross,” because we will never find love without the cross, and we will not lift the cross without love (JPII); “follow Him,” because we are weak, limited sinners, and we desperately need His presence and grace to fulfill our mission.

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Gospel Acclamation)