By Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: 1 Pet 1: 10 – 16; Mk 10: 28 – 31
Reflecting over today’s gospel, I am reminded of my vocation in the Congregation of Holy Cross to follow Jesus in the vision of Blessed Basil Moreau, our Founder. I can say that I left everything to follow Christ and merit the assured blessings of Jesus which are highlighted in today’s gospel. The above statement becomes meaningful only if I follow it wholeheartedly through my words, thoughts, and deeds.
However, at times, we may claim to say that we have left everything to follow Christ but in certain moments of pain and suffering, we forget that this is a call to live a holy life which must be reflected in our actions too. In his writing, St. Peter clearly says that ‘you shall be holy for he who called you is holy.’
This is an invitation for each of us to scan our words, thoughts, and actions and verify whether it leads us to live a life that is Holy or a life that leads to ungodliness. If we humbly realize and accept that our actions do not resemble the life of Jesus, then our Mother Church is inviting us to prepare ourselves to enter the season of Lent which begins tomorrow. Let us surrender ourselves to the passion and suffering of Jesus and prepare to go through his pain through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. In this way, we can purify ourselves to lead our hearts and minds to become holy as our God, the Father.