During Lent the two readings assigned for a given day are specifically chosen to complement each other. (By contrast, in Ordinary Time the readings are “continuous,” i.e. pick a book of the Bible and read it chapter by chapter.) In today’s gospel reading Jesus says: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The Old Testament lesson from the Book of Deuteronomy has as its admonition: “Choose Life.” We can gather from the combination of these two thoughts that the way to having a full and rich life is by taking up our cross. Our crosses find their meaning in relation to the cross of Christ inviting us to fidelity, forgiveness, compassion, obedience. In St. Luke’s version of this saying the word “daily” reminds us that the choice to take up our our cross in the footsteps of Jesus is not a one-time thing but something that requires constant attention. As we go through Lent a helpful spiritual practice would be to pray over possible connection between the readings for the day.
