Friday 5 August 2022

Today is Friday the 5th August, in the 18th week of Ordinary Time.


Luke Parker sings, ‘Sweet Surrender’. As you let this music guide you today, reflect on the ways you are surrendering to God in your life…

In my weakness You are strong
You hold my hand and hold my heart
I give it away now, I am on my knees
Offering all I am for You to see
I am thirsty for Your presence Lord
Sweet surrender is all I can give
Sweet surrender to You my offering
Jesus, You're all I'm living for
Holding on to You my Friend, my all
In Your fullness I am free
Help me Jesus to receive
In the secret place I'm on my knees
Reaching the deepest parts for You to see
Oh, I am thirsty for Your presence Lord
Sweet surrender is all I can give
Sweet surrender to You my offering
Jesus, You're all I'm living for
Holding on to You my Friend, my all
There is nothing more
There is nothing more I have
There is nothing more
There is nothing more I can give
There is nothing more
There is nothing more I have
There is nothing more I have to give
Sweet surrender is all I can give
Sweet surrender to You my offering
Jesus, You're all I'm living for
Holding on to You my Friend, my all



Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 16:24-28

Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

Jesus is very clear in speaking to those who want to follow him. There is a cost involved, discipleship is challenging. What’s your first reaction to hearing these words today?

What is at stake here is the whole of your life, and its meaning. How ready do you find yourself to commit yourself to Christ wholeheartedly?

Jesus obviously thinks that it is worthwhile to pay this cost, to take up this challenge. Do you? Why – or why not?

Listen again, allowing yourself to be really challenged by these words.

Allow yourself to respond honestly to the invitation Jesus offers you in this reading today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.