Today, we hear the Lord use the words that we priests use every time we baptize a new Christian: if anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Today, if we are to be the followers of Jesus, we must embrace the rhythm of the spiritual life laid out for us by our faith. That rhythm is basically three movements toward spiritual maturity. The Fathers name them Purgation, Illumination, and Union. And these movements correspond to the three commands of the Lord in today’s Gospel.
Learn this perpetual path and you will be like Christ! Interested?