Denying the Self

Gospel: Matthew 16: 24-28

Modern Christianity is obsessed with the self.  Everything is directed toward the exaltation of the self and one's identities.  Self-interest is the primary driver of ethical decision making in the modern Christian.  It is little wonder we are inundated with the prosperity Gospel and churchmen obsessed with political power, influence, and wealth in order to advance the self-interested agenda of "the church" that neglects the larger common good.  

Today's Gospel has Jesus remind us what authentic discipleship is all about.  We cannot follow him without denying our selves.  Our identity must be that of Christ himself.  We cannot follow him without embracing our own cross and dying to self, being one with Christ in all things.  Only when we have done these things can we then follow the Lord.  We cannot follow the Lord clinging to notions of self-interest and a desire for power, wealth, and influence.  

The way to the Promised Land led through the desert, a place of abandonment to God and any notions of self.  The way of Jesus led through the desert where power, wealth, and influence are rejected - a way that led to a life of self-giving mercy and love providing healing, liberation, and feeding of others.  It is a way that leads to the cross, to our own giving up of our own lives for others.  That is the way to salvation, the way to enlightenment, divinization, the way to the reign of God.