LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, August 8, 2025
You were made for more than comfort. You were made for glory. Lose your life in Me, and you will find it—abundant, eternal, overflowing.
LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, August 8, 2025
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
You were made for more than comfort. You were made for glory. Lose your life in Me, and you will find it—abundant, eternal, overflowing.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Matthew 16:24–28
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
The Way of the Cross Is the Way to Glory
Today’s Gospel flips everything the world holds dear on its head. Jesus reveals a paradox: if you try to save your life, you’ll lose it; if you lose it for His sake, you’ll find it. The Greek word for “life” (psychē) can also mean “soul”—showing the deep unity of identity, purpose, and eternal destiny.
Christ’s call to “take up your cross” (árato ton stauron autou) was shocking. Roman crucifixion was brutal. The cross wasn’t symbolic—it was real death. Jesus wasn’t inviting us to a slightly harder lifestyle. He was inviting us to total surrender. But not just for its own sake. The paradox is redemptive: in dying with Him, we rise with Him. The Kingdom comes through the cross.
This isn’t about seeking suffering for its own sake—but embracing whatever cross God permits, and allowing it to conform us to Christ. We must let go of illusions: control, comfort, acclaim, pleasure, safety. None of these can save our soul. Only Jesus can.
Parents, your children are surrounded by messages that say life is about gaining the world: success, appearance, followers, comfort. You are their first witnesses to something deeper. When you embrace daily sacrifice—when you deny yourself to love them—you are showing them the Gospel in flesh and blood.
So today, proclaim it. Out loud. Speak over your children with power:
“Jesus, You are worth everything. Help [name] to embrace their cross with You. Let them lose their life in You and discover their true identity, destiny, and joy. Fill them with the courage of the Holy Spirit to reject the world’s lies and follow You, no matter the cost.”
“By the grace of Baptism in the ‘name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’ the baptized are called to live out the meaning of this sacrament: to die to sin and to rise to new life in Christ.” (CCC 1694)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Cross or Comfort: What area of your life are you tempted to protect instead of surrender?
Eternal Math: Where have you been trying to "gain the world"? What do you need to let go of?
Kingdom Vision: How can you help your children or others in your life see their crosses as part of God’s path to glory?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, have each person name one area where they feel challenged or stretched right now. Then pray aloud over each other by name:
“Lord Jesus, help [name] carry their cross with You. Fill them with Your strength. Let them lose what they need to lose to gain what truly lasts—eternal life with You. Let them know they are never alone. Amen.”
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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