Moved by Love!

Friday, February 21, 2025

Gen 11:1-9; Mk 8:34-9:1

Today’s Gospel highlights the complementarity between denial of the self and taking up the cross. 

Jesus implies that the one who denies the self becomes capable of taking up the cross with willingness and resolve. 

This is how Jesus also shows that denying oneself and carrying the cross are not contradictory but complementary. 

If we observe closely, denial of the self already integrates within it whatever the cross symbolizes. In other words, in the one who is capable of self-denial, we can discover what animated the life of Jesus. 

It is the denial of self that prepares one for altruistic sacrifice. 

It is the denial of self that makes one capable of surrendering one’s life for the cause of God.

It is the denial of self that helps one proudly and joyfully acknowledge one’s affiliation with God. 

In this sense, denial of self is not self-hatred but the discovery of love that benefits all. 

Because Jesus’ cross meant all these, it is today a proud Christian symbol of love. 

Jesus wants us to discover the profound connection between denial of self and carrying the cross so that our lives may become a witness to the love of Jesus on Calvary. 

Let us pray that we may be moved by love to deny ourselves for the sake of the Lord. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar