Daily Gospel Reflection

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February 15, 2024

Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Lk 9:22-25
Listen to the Audio Version

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.”

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.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Reflection

Frank O’Linn '02, M.Ed. '08, M.A.
Executive Coach for the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program in the Alliance for Catholic Education
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This year, the week marking the beginning of Lent is venerable in more ways than one. This week, Major League Baseball’s pitchers and catchers are currently reporting to spring training. In my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, it is one of the most hopeful signs of the changing seasons, signaling that the rite of spring known as “Opening Day” is nearly at hand. With a sold-out ballpark and citywide festivities, our community always turns out for its home team regardless of cold spring weather, a changing roster, or even a changing team name.

And in most years, the first game is followed just as reliably by another ritual: the sparsely attended second game. Win or lose, with a long season ahead, the community largely goes back about its business. Only the most zealous fans return, filling just a fraction of the usually chilly ballpark.

In today’s passage from Luke, I’m struck by the discipline required to follow Christ. There are no fair-weather fans here; discipleship demands commitment. It is clearly an invitation: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Those who accept it take on the radical demands of discipleship. We are both invited and challenged every single day—not just when we feel inspired or when everyone else is doing it. We must persist with constancy, even if we fell short of expectations the previous day.

On this second day of Lent, may we maintain the discipline to deny ourselves and to take up our cross daily. And may this season’s prayer, fasting, and alms help us to open our hearts to discern the will of God better so that we may follow more faithfully.

Prayer

Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.

Jesus, my Lord, all too often, we define ourselves by what we have or do, instead of who we are. All I will have left is me—and you. Oh Jesus, I wish I valued you as much as I value other things or people in my life. During these 40 days, let your words change me: “What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Claude de la Colombiere

The example of St. Claude's life and his spiritual insight served royalty and saints—and got him into political trouble that cost him his life.

He was born to a family of French nobles in 1641, and, as he grew, felt a call to religious life. He was educated at a Jesuit school in Lyons and joined the order in 1659.

He became well-educated and took on a nun in spiritual direction—her name was Margaret Mary Alocoque. She eventually became known as a saint because of the vision of Christ she received in 1675 that established devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (One manifestation of that devotion is the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue that stands in front of the Dome on campus, shown below).

Claude took a vow to uphold the strictest rule of life in pursuit of holiness and perfection. In addition to guiding Margaret Mary, he was also assigned chaplain to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York, who would later become queen. He traveled to Protestant Britain to serve her, and converted many to Catholicism by the example of his holy life.

He was suspected of hatching “papist plots” against the king and was imprisoned. It was only the intercession of French King Louis XIV that saved his life. He was exiled and returned to France, but his health was ruined and he died not long after arriving. Though he suffered every torment except death for his faith, he is still considered a martyr.

As a prominent French saint, Claude’s relics were collected by the early members of Holy Cross and now rest in the reliquary chapel. His image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Claude de la Colombiere, you sought the perfect life of holiness and you preached to kings and queens, pray for us!


Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Claude de la Colombiere is in the public domain. Last accessed December 5, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.