Denying Self

Jesus and St. James give hard but effective advice in today's readings;  Jesus gives the winning formula for authentic discipleship:  "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 and that of the Gospel will save it." (Mk 8: 34-35). "See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.  For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." (Js 2:26).  Performing these "works" takes effort, time, and self-denial. It is the following of Jesus, the emptying of self, the "losing of life,"  the little crosses that Jesus was talking about.  James helps us put the advice of Jesus into positive action that benefits others as well as ourselves.  A win, win for all.
Bro. Rene