2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Saturday, August 29
Matthew 16:24-28
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
“… 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it …”
This October, the Church will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Leo XIV has declares 2026 the Year of Jubilee in honor of the saint. While there is much to remember about St. Francis, one thing is abundantly clear. He took Jesus’ words about losing his life for the sake of Jesus literally, giving up his status, wealth, health, and future to serve the Lord and his Church.
Few of us can match St. Francis’ dedication to the Lord. We can, however, seek to model our lives after his desire to live a life of simplicity and service. We can humbly offer ourselves for the sake of others, serving those in need, and providing care to the least in society. We can lose ourselves for the sake of our Lord’s call to love others as Jesus loves us.
Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.