Lenten Reflection Series 2023- Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Today we continue our Lenten observances and celebrate the feast of Saint Polycarp. Polycarp was a Bishop and Martyr of the early Church. If you would like to read his full martyrdom account, which I highly recommend, visit https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm

In today’s Gospel from Saint Luke, Our Blessed Lord talks about his forthcoming persecution. How fitting we read this story on the day we remember a man who gave his all as a witness for Christ. Jesus says, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

​There are many ways we can lose our life for Christ and not in the literal sense. We could practice fasting, increase our prayer life, make time to attend an extra Mass this week. Anytime we consciously choose to leave behind earthly things for the sake of building up the kingdom of God we lose our life.

A lot of us struggle with faith and family matters. It causes distress and anger when we miss a birthday party, a sporting event, or a holiday meal because we choose to attend Mass. The blame is always placed on us, we are told, “God can wait” or “Jesus would want you with your loved one.” It is easy to give in, it sounds like the right thing to do.

Jesus wants to assure us our lives will be saved in the world to come. This life is temporary, frail, a stepping-stone for eternity. The relationships you build and the choses you make only impact the life to come. So will you give up your life? Or will you try and save it?

God Bless,
Jonathan Molik
Pastoral Associate