Thursday after Ash Wednesday

• First Reading – Deuteronomy 30:15-20: Moses sets before the people a choice: life through obedience to God’s commandments or death by turning away. He urges choosing life, promising prosperity in the promised land for them and their descendants.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: Blessed are those who delight in God’s law, avoiding the ways of the wicked. They are steadfast and fruitful, protected by the Lord, unlike the wicked who falter.
• Gospel – Luke 9:22-25: Jesus foretold his suffering, death, and resurrection, setting the stage for a profound teaching on discipleship. He called for self-denial and daily commitment from anyone wishing to follow him, emphasizing that true life is found not in self-preservation but in self-sacrifice for his sake. He questioned the value of worldly gain at the cost of one’s soul, challenging followers to consider the eternal weight of their choices.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

Luke 9:25

The Thursday after Ash Wednesday, through its readings from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Luke 9:22-25, presents themes central to the Lenten journey and Christian discipleship. Here are the key themes:

• Choice and Commitment: Moses’ address in Deuteronomy presents a clear choice between life and death, blessings and curses, predicated on obedience to God’s commandments. This theme of choice emphasizes the importance of deliberate commitment to God’s ways.
• Life through Obedience: The first reading ties the concept of life not just to a biological existence but to a life enriched by following God’s laws. It suggests that true prosperity and wellbeing are found in obedience to God.
• Suffering and Resurrection: The Gospel reading introduces the prediction of Jesus’ own suffering, death, and resurrection. This theme is central to the Christian faith, highlighting the paschal mystery and the hope it brings.
• Discipleship and Self-Denial: Jesus’ call to deny oneself, take up one’s cross daily, and follow him defines the essence of discipleship. This self-denial is portrayed as a path to true life, contrasting worldly values with spiritual fulfillment.
• The Value of the Soul: The rhetorical question posed by Jesus about gaining the world but losing oneself (or one’s soul) prompts reflection on the eternal significance of one’s choices and the primacy of spiritual over material gain.
• Eternal Perspective: Both readings encourage a perspective that transcends the immediate or temporal, urging believers to focus on eternal life and the lasting consequences of their decisions.
• The Journey of Lent: These themes collectively resonate with the Lenten call to repentance, reflection, and renewal. The Lenten journey is marked by a deeper consideration of one’s life choices in light of God’s commandments and the call to follow Christ.

These themes for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday offer a rich tapestry for reflection as the faithful embark on the Lenten journey, inviting a deeper exploration of one’s relationship with God and commitment to living a life of faith and discipleship.

The readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday remind us of the power of our choices and the cost of following Jesus. Moses calls the people to choose life by obeying God’s commandments, while Jesus invites His followers to take up their crosses and deny themselves. Both readings ask us to reflect on how our decisions align with God’s will and lead us closer to Him.

Choosing Life

In the first reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Moses urges the people to choose between life and death, blessings and curses. This choice is not only about physical survival but about living in obedience to God’s commandments. Choosing life means committing to God’s ways and experiencing the fullness of life He offers.

Moses reminds the people that this choice impacts not just themselves but also their descendants. Obedience to God brings blessings and prosperity, not as a reward for actions but as a result of living within God’s plan. Turning away, however, leads to separation from the source of life.

This call to choose life is a call to relationship. It asks us to love God, listen to His voice, and walk in His ways. By doing so, we find true life and peace, not only for ourselves but for future generations.

The Cost of Discipleship

In the Gospel for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Jesus calls His followers to take up their crosses and follow Him. He makes it clear that discipleship requires self-denial and daily commitment. It is not an easy path, but it is one filled with purpose and hope.

Jesus reminds us that clinging to worldly comfort or success cannot save our souls. Instead, true life is found in surrendering ourselves to God’s will. This means putting aside selfish desires and trusting in God’s plan, even when it is hard or involves suffering.

He also asks a powerful question: what is the value of gaining the whole world if we lose our souls in the process? This challenges us to reflect on our priorities and the choices we make. Are we living for temporary things, or are we focused on the eternal life Jesus promises?

The Eternal Weight of Choices

A shared theme in both readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday is the eternal significance of our choices. Moses speaks of choosing life by following God’s commandments, while Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him. Both invite us to consider the consequences of our decisions, not just in this life but for eternity.

Every choice we make reflects what we value most. Choosing life means aligning our actions with God’s will, even when it is difficult. This might require sacrificing comfort, status, or material gain, but it leads to lasting joy and peace.

Both Moses and Jesus remind us that life with God is about more than rules or sacrifices. It is about a relationship grounded in love and trust. By choosing God, we find not only eternal life but also the strength to face the challenges of this life with hope and purpose.

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As we meditate on these messages, let us open our hearts to God’s guidance. May we choose life, embrace the sacrifices of discipleship, and live with eternity in mind.

Prayer

Lord, help us to choose life by following Your ways each day. Give us the strength to take up our crosses and trust in Your promises. Teach us to value what truly matters and to live in a way that honors You. May our decisions bring us closer to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What does choosing life look like in your daily decisions?
• Are there sacrifices Jesus is calling you to make for the sake of following Him?
• How can you align your priorities more closely with God’s will?
• What steps can you take to focus less on worldly success and more on eternal life?

Word on Fire: Embracing the Cross

Bishop Robert Barron elucidates the essence of Christian discipleship in the Gospel for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday. Discipleship is not about stoic acceptance of suffering but an active engagement in carrying our crosses, akin to Jesus bearing the world’s sins. It’s a call to proactively seek ways to alleviate others’ burdens, inspired by Jesus’ ultimate act of love. This path mirrors Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s insight that following Jesus means embracing a life of sacrificial love, symbolized by the journey towards Calvary, where the narrative of Christian life both starts and culminates with Christ’s crucifixion.

USCCB Reflection: Choosing Life

The USCCB reflection for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday highlights the contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit. It emphasizes that true freedom and joy are found in setting our minds on spiritual things and doing God’s will, even when it involves suffering, as Jesus showed through his death and resurrection. Choosing life, as God commands, leads to eternal peace and fulfillment, liberating us from sin’s power and aligning us with our true purpose in God’s plan.

What date is the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

The next date is Thursday March 6, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

The Mass readings for Thursday March 6, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Deuteronomy 30:15-20: Choice of Life or Death
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: Blessed by Trust in God
Gospel – Luke 9:22-25: The Cost of Discipleship

What is the significance of the readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

The readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday highlight the themes of choice, discipleship, and the value of eternal life over worldly gain. They call believers to reflect on their lives and commit to following God’s commandments and Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice.

How does the first reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday relate to the season of Lent?

The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the choice between life and death, urging believers to choose life by obeying God’s commandments. This message resonates with Lent’s call for repentance, reflection, and renewal, encouraging a deeper relationship with God.

What does Jesus mean by taking up one’s cross daily in the Gospel reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

Taking up one’s cross daily refers to the willingness to face hardships, sacrifices, and suffering for the sake of following Jesus. It signifies a daily commitment to living out the values of the Gospel, even when it challenges personal desires or societal norms.

Can you explain the choice Moses presents in the first reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

Moses presents a choice between life and death, blessings and curses, based on obedience to God’s commandments. Choosing life means committing to a relationship with God that is marked by faithfulness, leading to prosperity and blessing.

What lesson can we learn from the Gospel reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday about material wealth?

The Gospel teaches that material wealth and worldly gains are insignificant compared to the value of one’s soul. True life and fulfillment come not from accumulating possessions but from following Jesus and prioritizing spiritual wealth.

How do the readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday encourage spiritual reflection during Lent?

The readings emphasize the importance of choice, the cost of discipleship, and the eternal perspective on life and death. They invite believers to reflect on their spiritual journey, encouraging repentance, commitment to God, and the pursuit of a deeper faith.

What is the promise associated with choosing life in the Deuteronomy reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

The promise associated with choosing life is prosperity in the promised land for oneself and descendants. It signifies God’s blessing and favor upon those who obey His commandments and live according to His will.

How does the theme of self-denial in the Gospel for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday apply to our daily lives?

Self-denial involves sacrificing personal desires and comforts for the sake of following Jesus. It applies to our daily lives by encouraging us to live selflessly, prioritize others’ needs, and embrace spiritual values over worldly ambitions.

Why is the Thursday after Ash Wednesday important for Christians observing Lent?

This day is important because it sets the tone for Lent by focusing on the themes of repentance, sacrifice, and the choices that lead to spiritual growth. It challenges believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and live out their faith more fully.

What action can Christians take during Lent in response to the readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday?

Christians can engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, reflecting on their life choices and relationship with God. They can also seek to embody the message of the readings by practicing self-denial, serving others, and deepening their commitment to follow Jesus.