Christ is Born!
Do you have dreams of being an Olympic athlete? When I was in grade school I had a number of friends who wanted to play in the NHL. By High School some of these friends were training very hard to make the cut- they only attended school for certain classes, took special training programs during the day and worked very hard to catch up on the studies they had missed in the evening after their training.
The cost of professional athletics is incredible! Striving for athletic excellence changes what you eat, what you do in your spare time (if you have any), the type of relationships you can develop etc. The sacrifices involved for a gold medal are pretty steep, and yet they are nothing compared to true discipleship and embracing the mission the Lord has called you to!
In our reading today, St. Peter tries to dissuade our Lord from making the sacrifice He came to make for our salvation. Not understanding, he tried to turn Him from the cross. Our Lord reminds Peter, and us, that it is impossible to love both the world and the Lord at the same time. Which master will we serve? Our Lord died for the world out of love for us, but it is possible for us to idolize safety, comfort, control etc., and trade our vocation. Unknowingly, we would become slaves of the world, not sons and daughters of the King.
Today, take a look at your life- what are the things slowing you down from completing the mission that Christ has given you? What are the temptations which need to be turned down for you to pursue the Kingdom?
Christ is Born!
