Gaining...What?

Gospel: Luke 9: 22-25

Crucifixion is the most shameful, humiliating, and painful way to die.  The physical torture of whipping and nails being driven into your wrists and feet is enormous.  The psychological trauma of hanging naked for all to see is equally soul-crushing.  And yet this is a death we celebrate - not all crucifixions, just one.  It was a noble death, one worthy to be emulated.  In fact, it is a death we are to imitate in our own lives as well.

One of the greatest misconceptions of modern Christianity is the idea that because Jesus suffered all these things that we don't have to suffer them.  Today's Gospel is a reminder that it is in fact an obligation for us to suffer these things.  Christians are not called to take up the keys to a Mercedes; we are called to take up the cross and to deny ourselves, to give up self entirely for others, even to the point of humiliation and painful death.  

What we take up in Lent by way of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving ought to be our regular life as Christians throughout the year.  During Lent we are called to do these things as a community of faith, to support one another in this way of life of service to others.  Yesterday, the ashes bound us together as a community of penitents.  Today, we unite to take up our cross and serve one another in humble love.