Today’s reading is from Mark 8:31-38

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)

Jesus makes a strong argument for why we should follow him.

Our lives are at stake. Not our earthly lives (which may also be the case), but our eternal lives. If we try and hold onto our selfish ways, we will lose. If we give up our selfish ways for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ and for those we are called to love and serve, we receive God’s greatest gift, eternal life with our Father in heaven. A gift offered to all people, yet not everyone chooses to receive.

So if we continue to seek to “gain the whole world” at the cost of eternal life, is it worth it?

God’s gift is far greater than any earthly treasure. Receive the gift so freely and graciously offered.