Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

“The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment.” John Macarthur (Hole in Our Gospel, 25)

It is an unfortunate reality that sometimes our churches (me, sometimes, too) have turned the Gospel into a call to self-fulfillment. It’s a popular and pleasing thing to do. Probably not what Jesus was about, however. I believe He wants us to have a strong sense of self, so that we can expend it in service, first to our families, and then to others.

Tonight, at our Ash Wednesday service we’re going to focus on St. Teresa’s words: Christ has no hands but our hands…I am daring to believe that God will be showing us new ways that we each can be the hands and feet of Jesus. So, let’s pray for each other to that end, ok?