Life That Can Never Be Taken Away 2-19-26

 

Readings 021926 

“What profit is there,” Jesus asks,
“for one to gain the whole world…
yet lose himself.”

I think of a priest I once knew—
holy, humble, hidden.
He’s gone home to his Maker now.
But his whole life was a quiet yes.
A steady yes.
A daily yes.

He never chased applause.
He never sought the spotlight.
He guarded his soul,
his priesthood,
and the Church he loved.

I don’t know his private battles.
I don’t know where temptation pressed in.
But I do know this—
every single day
he picked up his cross
and followed the One
he vowed to always follow.

And Jesus speaks that same call to us:
“If anyone wishes to come after me,
he must deny himself,
take up his cross daily,
and follow me.”

Because the world can hand us everything—
comfort, success, applause—
and still leave our hearts empty.

But lose your life for Christ…
and you discover the only life
that can never be taken away.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
teach my heart to choose You again today.
Strip away the noise, the hurry, the hunger for lesser things.
Give me the courage to deny myself,
the strength to lift the cross You place in my hands,
and the grace to follow You wherever You lead.
Keep my life anchored in Yours,
so that in losing myself for Your sake,
I may find the only life that endures.
Amen.