Commentary on the Gospel of
If the commercials are to be believed, people love having choices. Walk into almost any store and the options seem endless. Online stores seem to offer nearly infinite options to encourage us to purchase. Beyond buying, people often find it difficult to limit their choices and commit to one thing, be it a job, a community, a parish, or a relationship.
The choice that God presents is stark. There are only two options: life/good or death/evil. Clearly God wants us to choose goodness and life, loving him and following his commandments.
But Jesus points out that the decision is not as easy as it may seem. Jesus tells his followers, including us, that choosing life means taking up our cross daily, passing through death. Rather than seeking to protect ourselves. walling ourselves off from others, and tending to our own needs, we are called to lay down our lives in generous service to our brothers and sisters. Only by giving all we have and denying ourselves can we find riches that will never disappear. Only by laying down our lives will we rise to eternal life.
