Tollat crucem suam (Lc 9:23)

Today's Gospel portrays  the delicacy and depth of God's love in the invitation to follow Jesus. It's true that every invitation leads us to make choices: whether to be a part of the event you are called for or not. Usually, we make our free choice depending on the type and degree of relationship. Obviously, many other criteria come alive under varied circumstances. Today we are in the receipt of such an irrevocable invitation from Jesus, with its highlights: deny, take up and follow.  

'Denying oneself' means to come before the Lord naked - emptying myself - that Ican be wrapped with God's unconditional love just the way I am, without any mask. Then I show the willingness to 'take up' the cares and worries of my neighbors, by consciously entering into their world which sometimes may even seem bleak coupled with uncertainties. Here I offer  myself as a soothing  balm to the those wounded ones who are in need of healing. This demands me to live in time and space, side by side along with my brothers and sisters.   

'Follow me' reminds me of  shore of Lake Galilee, where Jesus  enticed the first disciples with His dream for the humanity. I am simply 'caught up' in His mission to be a partner with Him. As a disciple, I grow daily. I try to listen to His voice deep within my heart and I unite my will with His will. Jesus Christ will never leave me alone. Especially in my weaknesses He will manifest His love (by Jessy Paul SSpS).

Omnis sapientia (Sir 1:1-10)

All wisdom comes from the Lord and also all good intentions, emotions, thoughts, etc. The wisdom is a gift of God in which all people participate: women and men, adults and children. The wisdom created the whole universe with all rules and laws which set the order in cosmos. Therefore, every being takes part in the divine wisdom which is eternal and present everywhere. As human beings we are not able to comprehend the whole wisdom but only a little bit of it. However, every prudent and holy person can discover more and more during studies and meditations. Reading the Holy Bible the faithful can enter in the depth of God's wisdom and be entlighted by its splendor. Following the ways of wisdom all people are able to inherit the everlasting life and happiness in the Kingdom of God. The wise man acknowledges that there is but one and truly aweinspiring God. He is the Lord of all wisdom whose Holy Spirit fulfills the heaven and earth. He is omnipotent and takes care of every living thing according to his bounty. He also enriches the hearts of his beloved children with the divine grace and wisdom.

Ubi es? (Gn 3:9)

Never can we escape from the love of the heavenly Father. Although we sometimes prefer to live our own life, but it is impossible to live without the Spirit of Love. All the time God is with us and his Holy Spirit gives us life. Especially, when we made a mistake, we should remember that it is better to come to him and to let him embrace us with his love. If we committed sin, we are to keep in mind that our Father waits for us and wants to forgive everything. 

When we are in serious troubles, other people are not able to help us because they are also weak and fragile. Thus, our only hope is in the Divine Mercy. Sins, weakensses, bad choices which we all make can be overcome by the grace from heaven. The power of God can destroy all the devil's plans. Accordingly, we are able to be free and to become holier and holier every day. 

We need to know that we are not allowed to follow the way of the evil one. It is much better for us to suffer than to choose the easier way in life. We must be obedient to God, love one another and work patiently in order to get reward in the heavenly kingdom.