Here is part of today’s Gospel, from St Mark: ‘And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”’

The Greek word used for ‘deny’, means to disown utterly, to abstain completely. This is what our Lord Himself did – He ‘emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross’. This same self-emptying is asked os us, His children, so that the life of God may be manifest in us, truly and deeply. May God rant you this grace this day, and may He bless you.