Today is the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus, Martyr.
Today's readings are Psalm 107:10-16, Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10, and Matthew 16:13-28.
Matthew 16:24 is often quoted as a call to repentance. It is used to beg unbelieving people that they should obey and follow Jesus. Yet we are well advised to think about what we read in its context. Jesus is speaking to "disciples." These are people who already are hearing his words. They are with him willingly. So this passage doesn't really fit as a call to unbelievers to repent and follow Jesus. Then we also consider what Jesus calls these people to do. They are to give up their lives for Jesus. When we take up the cross we are embracing shameful criminal death.
Is there gospel in this? Yes, in every way. Look what we receive as we lay our lives down for Jesus. We receive our soul, redeemed for us by our Lord. This is the greatest reward we can imagine. As we give up our lives for Jesus we see that Jesus has given up his life for us. Let us then delight as we receive the life our Lord has redeemed on our account.
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