REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel sets the tone for Lent with Jesus’ first prediction of his passion, immediately after Peter’s confession of him as the Messiah of God. Rather than set himself as a glorious figure, Jesus aligns himself with the Suffering Servant of God who “surrendered himself to death, was counted among the transgressors, bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors” (Is 53:12). He then invites his disciples to follow him, describing the paradox of life: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (v 25). Those who have accumulated immense wealth and influence in life often realize, sadly towards the end, that a life full of meaning does not depend on one’s possessions. Pope Francis says that being happy is recognizing that life is worth living, despite all the challenges, sadness, misunderstandings, and periods of emotional and economic crisis. Quoting the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa (1888- 1935), “It is thanking God every morning for the miracle of life and to live the free, happy and simple creatures that lives in each one of us” (text translated from Palco de Vida).

Gospel • Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).