Daily Word Of God
Luke 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- If we want to be Jesus’ followers, then we are to embrace the cross. Our initial reaction to Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel is one of trepidation and fear.
- While this is true of us emotionally, our faith assures us that Jesus will always be there with us, to carry the heaviest part of our cross for us. We are never alone.
- The cross is not a symbol of pain and suffering. The cross in essence is a service of love for God and our participation of Christ mission in saving the world. Are we willing to be Jesus’ disciples?