Denying oneself for the greater good

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Father's Day

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." These are the words we hear today in Luke's Gospel. What did Jesus mean by these words?

We are all aware that Jesus became fully human in all things but sin and was born into our world. He came among us not as a King, but denied himself even this right. Instead he came as the foster child of a humble carpenter; to parents who were travelling and who could find no place to stay except the stable where Jesus was born.

He denied himself a comfortable life and accepted his destiny of suffering and dying for a greater good: our salvation.

Jesus reminds us that in order to succeed in anything, we have to be willing to deny ourselves in lesser things in order to achieve a higher goal. We are to follow his example. Just as Jesus was able to overcome by his complete trust and reliance on his Heavenly Father, so we are also assured of divine help and assistance when we need it the most.

As the psalmist acknowledges: "You are my help........My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me." (Ps. 81)