18th Friday in Ordinary Time, August 9, 2024
Na 2:1,3; 3:1-3, 6-7; (Ps) Dt 32:35c-36b, 39abcd, 41; Mt 16:24-28
I have been hanging around with some of my older friends lately. Some are in great shape, others not so well, and their time on this earth is limited. The older you get, the harder it is to understand how quickly time passes. Just recently I have had the opportunity to celebrate quite a few of their birthdays. It is amazing to me to see how well they are coping with life these days. Even though they may have physical issues bothering them, they have such joy in their hearts, it is hard to see them suffering. I just found out one of them only has a couple of months left before his body gives out. I am sad for him, but at the same time happy because he believes God is with him and has been throughout his battle with cancer. He never chose to sit in the corner and pout, he continued living with joy.
I was thinking of him when I read the readings for today starting, with the reading from Nahum where we are greeted with a proclamation of our salvation. How wonderful it is, with someone near their death, to focus in on what lies ahead. One line in particular brought me to tears for him. “For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed.” Na 2:2. Very consoling words from God. Knowing that my friend will be made new. How I wish all of us had that faith where we can believe we will be made new by God at our own death.
The blessings continue with the Gospel reading, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mt 16:24. My friend told me that once during his prayer time, it was a verse very similar to this that he heard from God; and, the words, “I suffered for you on the cross.” My friend was brought to tears as he told me about it. That was a few months ago, and now he is facing a battle he will not survive. But he absolutely knows it is a battle he will win. One where he has picked up his cross, and followed Jesus, to the very end. He will lose his life, but with Jesus, he will find a new life that will last forever.
It is time we all pick up our crosses and follow Him. If we are ever going to survive in this world, we have no choice but to lose our own life, to gain one anew.
Saint James Catholic Church 