“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”
Christ’s teachings and the life he lived have been so counter-cultural and radical;
it was no surprise that the powers that be had his crucified.
He was a such a huge de-stabilizer of their comfort zones.
Even today, in our culture of crass materialism and hedonistic pleasure-seeking,
many still reject him.
But for the many that also have accepted him,
they have seen glimpses and created patches of heaven here on earth.
In my own life, I have found my greatest joys in being with and for others,
in doing good and serving them.
I have had my most miserable moments
when i was totally engrossed with myself
and only with my needs and wants.