There are just two choices given to us at the beginning of this Lent: choose life or death. And to help us make our choice we are reminded: "what does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself?"

We make frantic efforts to gain the whole world, that eventually makes us losers. But when we freely let go our lives at the service of deeper values we gain indescribable happiness.There is so much peace and tranquility in giving ourselves in service to those in need and those who have done so will testify to this. Our Lenten observances of fasting, abstinence, almsgiving are meant to transform us into free persons in love with God. Dying to self is not killing oneself, but becoming "fully human and fully alive". Ultimately we are called not to a denial of life but towards a fullness of life.So the invitation to take up my cross and follow Jesus is a call to a new way of being; to accept my limitations, failures, disapointments and even my sins in all sincerity.Only when I can take up my cross will I understand my neighbour.