ACC ~ Mark 8 v35

DEFLECTING SELF-HATE

AUGUSTINE: This precept by which we are enjoined to lose our life does not mean that a person should kill himself, which would be an unforgivable crime, but it does mean that one should kill that in oneself which is unduly attached to the earthly, which makes one take inordinate pleasure in this present life to the neglect of the life to come. [1] This is the meaning of “shall hate his life” and “shall lose it.” Embedded in the same admonition, he speaks most openly of the profit of gaining one’s life when he says: “He that loses his life in this world shall find it unto life eternal.” [2] LETTER 243, TO LAETUS. [3]

[1] Rightly understood, this precept does not tend inadvertently to encourage self-hate.

[2] Jn 12:25.

[3] Cetedoc 0262, 243.57.5.572.11; FC 32:222**.

WALKING REQUIRES TWO FEET

CAESARIUS OF ARLES: When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us. [1] But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair—by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ’s promise… .

One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ’s resurrection leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top—well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you—do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing. SERMONS 159, 1.4-6. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23.

[2] Cetedoc 1008, 159.1.3, and 159.4.1; JF B 116; CCL 104, 650.652-54*.