The book of Dueteronomy is one long speech, spoken by Moses,
as the Israelite people prepare to enter the promised land after 40 years in
the desert. They stand on the precipice
of a new life, their exodus from Egyptian slavery complete. Moses, who would not enter into the land of
Canaan, gives his farewell sermon as instruction and encouragement and warning
for the generations that would be born in the promised land.
The essential point of Moses’ sermon is simple: there are
two ways available: the way of obedience to God and the way of
disobedience. We heard today, “If you
obey the commandments of the LORD…you will live… , however, you turn away your
hearts and will not listen…you will not”.
These roads lead to two different destinations just as surely as two
different physical roads lead to two different physical destinations. The way of obedience leads to inheriting all
God’s promises. The way of disobedience
brings misery and failure.
Think of Lent as standing on the precipice of a new
land. And we are given a choice: will I
follow the Lord more deeply through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? Or not?
Added to this, we hear Jesus’ bold claim “If anyone wishes to
come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me.” Lent is an invitation to follow
Christ more deeply through a share in the cross.
There is no transformation without suffering, there is no
new life without hardship. The cross is
the path of life, and we are invited at the beginning of Lent to share the
cross more deeply that the Lord may bring us to new life.
Thomas Kempis, the author of the spiritual masterpiece “The
Imitation of Christ” wrote of the Cross as the Royal Road to the Kingdom of
Heaven. “Why, then, do you fear to take
up the Cross-, which is the road to the Kingdom? In the Cross is salvation; in
the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross
is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the
Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is
perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal
life, save in the Cross. Take up the Cross-, therefore, and follow Jesus,
(Matt. 16:24) and go forward into eternal life. (Matt.25:46) Christ has gone
before you, bearing His Cross; (John 19:17) He died for you on the Cross, that
you also may bear your cross, and desire to die on the cross with Him. For if
you die with Him, you will also live with Him. (Rom 6:8) And if you share His
sufferings, you will also share His glory.”
This Lent, see how the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ in
which he has given you a share has become the tree of everlasting life, for the
glory of God and salvation of souls
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