THE CROSS AND THE COMMANDMENTS

Meditation for Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deut 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25)

Self-preservation is the greatest instinct in man. Every other choice we make is presumed to respect our innate desire for survival. In the first reading, Moses said to the people, “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil.” He urged them to obey God’s commandments as the way to choose life and multiply. To disobey the commandments will lead to evil and death. Thus, the two options of life and death have practically one singular response: the commandments. It is either we are obeying the commandments or disobeying the commandments. Thus, by that act with which we keep the commandments, we choose life and avoid death. And by that act with which we disobey the commandments, we choose death and lose life.

 

In gospel, Jesus still talked about the two options of life and death, but He presented the cross the solution. As Moses prescribed obedience to the commandments as the way to have life and multiply, Jesus offered us the cross as the source of life. He said, “If a man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” The choice for the cross becomes our choice for Jesus, in whom we are saved.

 

The hidden instinct for self-preservation in man has been called out of its selfish domain, purified through the commandments and satisfied in Christ Jesus. The life promised through the commandments is now flowing like a fountain in Jesus Christ. On the cross, He opened this wellspring of life for us, which is the end-purpose of the law. So, as we identify and carry our cross daily, we conquer evil, and fullness of life in Jesus Christ. That is why as we deny ourselves this Lenten season, our will is strengthened to take up our cross. Through our Lenten observances, our instinct for self-preservation now translates into love for the cross of Jesus. By following Jesus so intimately, we satisfy the law, and have abundance of life. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday February 23, 2023.

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