Our Only Real Security

In today’s Gospel Lesson, Jesus once again gives His formula for a heart that will be full: “If anyone wants to be a follower of Mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow Me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for My sake, that man will save it” (Lk. 9:23-24).

It has been said that, following Jesus is like climbing a spiral staircase:

Sometimes it seems as though we are just circling around, getting nowhere. But then we notice that the circle is getting bigger and bigger and that our perspective is getting wider and wider. Our perspective is becoming less and less self-centered and more and more other-directed. We are being guided by an unseen hand that enriches and enhances our lives even in the midst of suffering and setbacks.1

We spend a goodly portion of our lives struggling to achieve some measure of security against…