Working with the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: loves … more than me, loses … life … will find it, little ones

To the point: At the center of this Gospel is Jesus' startling statement that the only way we have life is to lose it. We lose our life by choosing to love Jesus even above family and by serving others, even “little ones.”

Connecting the Gospel …

… to First Reading: The Shunemite woman served the prophet Elisha and provided for his needs; by so serving she received in turn the gift of life.

… to experience: We all experience the impulse to express our love concretely, for example, by sending cards, flowers, inviting the beloved to dinner, etc. We concretely express our love for Jesus by serving others.

**From Saint Louis University