Deny, take up and follow. Jesus calls us to do three things to be his disciple. Let us consider doing these to make the most out of Lent.
FIRST, DENY YOURSELF.
What is “yourself” looking for everyday?
Let’s not talk about your major dreams. Let’s talk about simple things that you want everyday. Do you enjoy 2-3 cups of coffee a day? Maybe you spend at least 6 hours in social media. Do you get lost in your hobby the whole night? Review your daily schedule. What are the things that if you missed doing them you feel that your day is incomplete? These are the things that “yourself” longs for everyday. Deny yourself these things during Lent.
I used my mobile phone a lot both in work and in my ministry. There are times when my phone is too slow. I discovered that the root cause of my phone’s slowdown are the multiple mobile applications running simultaneously. These apps are great tools but they are not necessary for my device to do its primary purpose, which is to call or text my friends. So, I reviewed the running apps and stopped those that are not too important. My phone runs like new again after the cleansing process. Deny your body the non-essentials and feel like brand new again! Focus on what you are primarily designed to do which is to love God and love others.
SECOND, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS.
All of us have problems. Some have bigger concerns than others. We read “taking up your cross” and we think that it means we should carry our problems by ourselves. We missed the word “up” in the phrase “take up your cross”. Our call is to “take up” our crosses to the ONE who is above – God.
- Mary brought up a concern to Jesus at the wedding in Cana – “When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’” (John 2:3). Jesus replied by doing His first miracle. He turned the water into wine and the guests were delighted.
- The disciples, seeing the hungry and tired crowd asked Jesus for a solution on how to handle them – “By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, ‘This is a deserted place and it is already very late.’” (Mark 6:35). Jesus asked them for what they have and multiplied the bread to feed the thousands in the crowd.
- The thief in the cross, nearing the moment of death, made this bold request to God – “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’” (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied with a promise to bring him to paradise.
When we bring up a concern to God, He gives us the best solution. You are called to offer up your problems to God. Offer it UP to God. Bring it to God as your offering. Use it to glorify God.
LASTLY, FOLLOW JESUS.
I love using Waze (a mobile traffic navigation app). It gets me to my destination faster. Sometimes, it leads me to streets I never knew existed. Sometimes it leads me to a dark alley where I am encouraged to bring out my rosary and pray. Whatever Waze says, I follow because I know that it will give me the best way.
God calls us to the same. Following means means placing your full trust in wherever He leads you. Following means doing everything that the leader does.
- For husbands, you are called to love your wife like Jesus loved the church – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her” (Ephesians 5:25)
- We are called to love the children around us by bringing them closer to Jesus –“but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” (Matthew 19:14)
- Jesus calls us to love others – The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
These commandments are difficult to follow. But we should simply follow because Jesus knows the best way. He is the Way. Allow Jesus to lead all areas of your life starting this Lent.
Deny, take it up and follow. This is what we should do as Christians.
May we all have a blessed Lent!
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