Today's Gospel with comment: February 21, 2020

Friday of the VI week of Ordinary Time holidays

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 8,34-38.9,1.
At that time, summoning the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them: «If anyone wants to come after me, deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.
Because whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it. "
What good is it for man to gain the whole world if he then loses his soul?
And what could a man ever give in exchange for his soul?
Whoever will be ashamed of me and my words before this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels ».
And he said to them: "Truly I say to you: there are some here present, who will not die without having seen the kingdom of God come with power."
Liturgical translation of the Bible

Saint Gertrude of Helfta (1256-1301)
bandaged nun

"Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it"
O dearest death, you are my most happy destiny. May my soul find its nest or death in you! O death that bears fruit of eternal life, your waves of life completely overwhelm me! O death, perennial life, which I always hope in the shelter of your wings [cf Ps 90,4]. O savior death, my soul dwells among your magnificent goods. O most precious death, you are my dearest redemption. Please absorb your whole life into yourself and immerse my death in you.

O death that you give life, may I dissolve in the shadow of your wings! O death, drop of life, burn the sweet spark of your life-giving action forever! (...) O death of immense love, all goods are placed in me. Take care of me lovingly, so that by dying I will find sweet rest under your shadow.

O most merciful death, you are my most happy life. You are my best part. You are my overabundant redemption. You are my most glorious legacy. Please wrap me all in you, hide my whole life in you, put my death in you. (...) O beloved death, then keep me perpetually for you, in your paternal charity, having purchased me and therefore possessing me forever.