HE WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT
(5th SUNDAY OF LENT)
He who loves his life will lose
it. But he who hates his life in this world shall keep
it unto life eternal. Who is he that loveth his life? He
who has unseemly desires; he who gratifies what he ought not.
Ecclesiasticus states: "Do not the desires of your heart
because it will destroy you since it leads away from the path to
virtue."
And who is he who hateth his life?
He who yields not to his desires when it commands what is
pernicious. What does it mean to hate? When we cannot
endure to hear the voice of such a person; when we cannot look
at them with pleasure. So we must treat ourselves with violence and
vehemence when we find ourselves seeking what is contrary to God's
will.
He who hates his life hates his own
will and lovingly seeks the will of God. And God's will is
expressed in His commandments. Obedience to the commands of
Christ is so important that this is the only reason God sends
us sufferings.
"He learned obedience in what
He suffered." This is the gain of suffering. . . to learn
obedience. And we, too, must be obedient as He was obedient. .
.even unto death. "He was made perfect through
suffering." This is the way to perfection through
suffering. And, attaining this, you not only save yourself but
you become to others also an abundant supply of salvation.
"Being made perfect in suffering, He became the author of
salvation to them that obey Him."
(02-02-04) |