Daily

     In Luke's gospel today, Jesus speaks these words, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily."  In Matthew and Mark, the word daily is omitted, but Luke felt it necessary to include this word in his Gospel.  I think that Luke knew that for Christians to really understand what Jesus was talking about, the word daily had to be included.  This made me think about what my priest, Father Bob, said during his Ash Wednesday homily.  He asked us a very interesting question that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.  "How are the ashes on your forehead going to change your heart for the next 40 days?"  Millions of Catholics came out on Wednesday to receive their ashes.  We all walked out of Mass with our foreheads proclaiming to the world that we are Christians.  But Jesus knows how hard it is to follow Him.  He knows that it is going to take more than ashes in the shape of a cross to keep us on the right track.  He knows that we are willing.  We came to receive the ashes.  We have the desire to begin this Lenten Journey.  But, that was yesterday.  Now, in today's Gospel, he hits us with the reality of discipleship.  "This isn't just a one day event my children.  You have to be committed to me.....DAILY."  When the situation in your life seems impossible, you need to trust, "for all things are possible with Christ."  (Philippians 4:13) When cancer comes to a loved one, you need not lose hope, because, "all things work together for good to those who love God." (Romans 8:28)  Following Christ takes a daily commitment.  A commitment that allows you to praise Him when times are good and praise Him when times are bad.  A commitment that allows you to put Him first and know that He truly is "the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6)  We, as Christians, must allow the ashes on our foreheads to be only the beginning of a spiritual transformation and renewal that will take place in our hearts for the next 40 days. 

So, I'm ready.  How about you?