"Whoever loses ... for my sake ... will find ..." - Matthew 16:25

As Jesus was starting his final journey to Jerusalem, there to be crucified, he said this to his disciples: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?"

In this monumental statement of our Lord, he gives to us a keystone element in the arch of Christian faith, and, as well, a fundamental insight into what life is and how it works. From these few words many volumes could be written, and indeed many have been. Today, however, I want us to think about just one facet of this magnificent gem. I want to t…