Reflections on Scripture | Friday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Reflection

Nothing seems clearer in the teaching of Jesus, that we have to become people that are others centered, not self-centered. It's so easy for us to have it without even realizing it, that we focus everything on what's happening to me and how am I feeling it? What is fair and what is unfair? And all Jesus is saying is, look. Let go of that.

Focus on self and focus on me. Focus on me and what I've done, what I'm doing. The example I have and you'll find life.

Closing Prayer

Father, your gift to us is your transforming grace. And one of the signs that it works within us, is that we see ourselves focused less and less on our wants, our needs, and focused on the things that people need around us. Free us from a prison of self-centeredness. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross