The book of Deuteronomy 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 would not enter into the land of Canaan, and his farewell sermon
was 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 to available:
the way of obedience to God and the way of disobedience. “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.
Lent is an
opportunity for the members of the Church to reflect on their lives, and root
out those attitudes and behaviors which are contrary to the will of God—those
acts of selfishness, those acts of bitterness to others. The prayer, and the fasting, and acts of
charity are to strengthen us against those self-serving narrow, selfish
tendencies that are opposed to new life in Christ—the life which is marked by compassion,
concern, obedience to God.
Juxtaposed
to Moses’ sermon was Jesus’ bold claim “If anyone wishes to come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” It is so hard for the world to believe but
the cross is the path to 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
No comments:
Post a Comment