A reading from the gospel according to Luke 9:22-25:

22 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Reflection: Suffering, Death and Resurrection

If somebody close to us suddenly blurts out that he is going to suffer and die, most probably our reaction would be like Peter who tried to stop Jesus from his impending death. No one likes to suffer and no one likes to die at a very young age. Yet we hear Jesus embracing His suffering and death.

Let us read again very closely the gospel reading above. First He tells us about His rejection, suffering, and resurrection. Then immediately He also tells us that if we wish to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily. This is leadership by example. He does not tell us to do something that He Himself cannot do. In other words, we must not be afraid to suffer and to carry our cross because our Lord has already done it.

Life is indeed full of suffering. Even other religions particularly Buddhism acknowledge this truth. Jesus never told us that following Him is a bed of roses or without any problem. In fact, the Bible offers a lot of verses that mention readiness for opposition, hatred and persecution if we follow Jesus (John 15:19–20, Matthew 5:10–12, Revelation 2:10–11). What He promised was that He would be with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20).

Suffering and losing our lives for the sake of Jesus is not lost in the Book of Life. That is why even Saint Teresa of Avila believed that suffering can be a source of purification. When we offer our heartaches, brokenness and the other problems we face every day in union with the cross at Calvary, we are also united with Jesus in His resurrection and more so in the work of salvation.

Indeed, no amount of money will ever buy us a ticket to heaven. Work hard we must to achieve our dreams but we must never exchange eternal life for earthly achievement.

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The gospel passage above marks a pivotal moment where Jesus outlines the path that not only He must traverse — embracing suffering, rejection, and ultimately resurrection — but also the path His followers are called to embark upon. It’s a call to self-denial and taking up one’s cross daily, a concept that challenges our modern-day ethos of self-promotion and instant gratification.

Jesus’ message to “deny oneself” and follow Him is a radical invitation to embrace a life marked by acts of self-sacrifice and service. Consider, for example, the self-denial of individuals who dedicate their lives to serving others in need, whether it’s healthcare workers who spend countless hours caring for the sick, often at the expense of their own health and well-being, or humanitarian workers in conflict zones, risking their lives to bring aid and comfort to those caught in the crossfire. These examples embody the essence of taking up one’s cross, demonstrating how true life and fulfillment are found not in self-serving pursuits but in the selfless act of giving oneself for the benefit of others.

Furthermore, Jesus challenges us to ponder the value of our soul versus worldly gains. The pursuit of wealth, status, or pleasure may offer temporary satisfaction, but it pales in comparison to the eternal riches of a life aligned with divine purpose. Consider the story of a successful businessperson who chooses to use their wealth and resources to fight poverty or invest in community development projects. This act of prioritizing spiritual values over material accumulation exemplifies the meaningful exchange Jesus speaks of—gaining true life by letting go of mere earthly success.

This Gospel passage calls us to a deeper reflection on our priorities and the legacy we wish to leave behind. It’s an invitation to consider how our daily choices reflect a commitment to living a life of significance, one that values service, compassion, and spiritual integrity above fleeting worldly achievements.

May this message inspire you to live a life of purpose, embracing the call to self-denial and self-sacrifice. As we journey through life, let us seek to invest in what is eternal, finding in the path of self-giving love the true essence of joy, peace, and fulfillment.

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Jesus spoke about his impending rejection, suffering, death and resurrection to His disciples, preparing them for the difficult journey ahead. He knew the cross was His destiny, yet He also revealed that all who follow Him must take up their own crosses daily. The call of discipleship is not one of comfort, prestige, or self-promotion—it is a call to surrender, sacrifice, and faithfulness.

The Suffering Savior and the Call to Follow
Jesus did not promise an easy road. He made it clear that suffering was part of His mission. He would be rejected, suffer, and die—but He would also rise again. His victory over sin and death came through the very path that the world sees as defeat. Likewise, He calls us to follow in His footsteps, not by seeking worldly success but by embracing the path of self-denial.

To “take up our cross daily” means more than enduring hardships. It means choosing to put God’s will above our own, letting go of our selfish desires, and living in obedience to Christ. It is a daily decision to follow Him, even when the road is difficult, even when it costs us something.

The Paradox of Losing and Gaining
Jesus presents us with a powerful paradox: those who try to save their lives will lose them, but those who lose their lives for His sake will truly find life. What does this mean?

The world teaches us to chase after wealth, power, recognition, and comfort. Many people devote their entire lives to these pursuits, believing that success in these areas will bring happiness. Yet, Jesus warns that even if we gain everything the world offers, we can still lose our very souls. No amount of money, fame, or achievement can replace the eternal life that only Christ can give.

On the other hand, those who “lose” their lives for Jesus, those who surrender their ambitions, desires, and even their very selves will eventually find the true life that God intended. This does not mean abandoning responsibility or neglecting our gifts, but rather using everything we have for God’s purposes. It means trusting Him with our future, making decisions based on His will rather than personal gain, and being willing to let go of anything that keeps us from following Him.

What Are You Holding On To?
Each of us has things we struggle to surrender. It could be a dream, a relationship, a habit, or even our own fears. Sometimes, we hold on to these things tightly, afraid that letting go will leave us empty. But Jesus assures us that in losing ourselves for Him, we will discover something far greater — real peace, real joy, and real purpose.

If you find yourself clinging to things that compete with your devotion to Christ, ask yourself: Is this worth more than my soul? The world may promise fulfillment, but only Jesus can truly satisfy. True life is not found in holding on but in surrendering to Him.

A Life Worth Living
Jesus’ invitation is not about loss, but about gaining something infinitely better. When we follow Him, we experience a deeper love, a greater purpose, and a peace that the world cannot give. We may face struggles and sacrifices, but we walk with the One who conquered death itself.

So today, let us choose to take up our crosses and follow Him. Whatever we let go of for Jesus will never be wasted. Instead, we will find a life richer and fuller than anything the world could ever offer.