We launch into the season of Lent with two powerful scripture readings — from the Book of Deuteronomy and the Gospel of Luke. Moses tells us “Choose life.” Jesus tells us “whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Which is it? Choose life or lose life? Choosing life means choosing health, serenity, peace, fulfillment. Losing your life happens, according to Jesus, when someone will take up his cross daily and follow me. We connect these two saying by looking at the life of Jesus. He choose life not by taking care of himself but by taking care of others. He healed those who were sick, fed those who were hungry, welcomed the sinner, consoled those who were lost. Our call to choose life is similar — we don’t choose life by looking out for little old me but by denying our priority and instead reaching out to those who are woven into our lives — children, family, friends, neighbors, even strangers — and helping them to healing and wholeness.
