Daily Reflection
August 8, 2025

In today’s gospel, we find Jesus preaching to his disciples all about 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 will find it.”

This is a tall order.  First, deny oneself.  This is the act of prioritizing God’s will over the one’s own wants and needs.  On top of that, one must take up their own cross or endure hardship or suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ. One who faithfully follows Jesus receives the ultimate reward—eternal life.  
As I write this, there are only three steps—seems fairly simple.  However, as I reflect on the meanings of these three elements of discipleship, I’m easily overwhelmed.  I’m grateful to be able to easily think of many role models who have touched my life over the years.  However, I witness disciples at work daily.

I’m a registered nurse.  I’ve watched caregivers and colleagues give of themselves continually to care for God’s precious ones.  In my current role, I work with people who have intellectual or developmental disability or complex medical situations. These people are often marginalized by other people and systems in our world.  Often the very fact that they were brought into this world and continue to live is questioned.  This is where the discipleship comes in.  There is a village made up of family members, caregivers, friends, and advocates who work tirelessly to care for, serve and protect the dignity and rights of these incredible humans.  I watch them put the needs of others ahead of their own routinely.  They are following the ways of Jesus and I have a front row seat to what this involves.  Some days, it’s absolutely devastating, other days, it’s glorious and there are big wins. These are every day people who I believe are saints on earth.

Today, we remember St. Dominic.  He is another example of one who denied himself, took up his cross and followed Jesus.  I’m sure he encountered all kinds of pain and strife as he preached to heretics across many lands.  Eventually, some heard the message of God that Dominic was sharing.  On 22 December 1217, Pope Honorius approved a new religious order, the Order of Friars Preachers, or Dominicans. The order spread rapidly through Europe and beyond.  Dominic was described as being “as tender as a mother, but as strong as a diamond.”  He is another wonderful example of discipleship. Consider his words:

The motto of St. Dominic is: “To praise, to bless, to preach”. 

St. Dominic once said;
“Arm yourself with prayer, rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”