Mark 8:34? I have problems deciphering it!

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Akulaa

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What exactly is Self denial? What exactly is taking up the cross?
Starting from June, I have this one voice in my heart that says: “Hey, stop playing video games, deny yourself and suffer in the name of Christ!” Or “stop having fun with your friends, make yourself suffer in the name of the Lord!”

I don’t think this is what this verse means… I think it means preaching the Lord’s name comes with its own risks. Such as getting bullied, etc
do you agree?
 
Just my opinion. Based on the context of that verse, I think it means that witnessing to Christ will cause discomfort in varying degrees. Physical, psychological, social, economic, etc. And maybe even death.

The easy thing to do is deny Christ and indulge in the safe space you have created. The tough thing to do is to be a witness to Christ and suffer by it. The former is to deny Christ, the latter is to deny the self. When He increases in you, you decrease.
 
Akulaa said:
… I think it means preaching the Lord’s name comes with its own risks. Such as getting bullied, etc
do you agree?
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Following Christ entails an unmasking, uprooting, and removing everything from our heart that separates us from God. After all, no one can enter heaven until the soul is perfected, either in this life (the easy way) or in purgatory (the hard way). Thus picking up one’s cross and following Jesus Christ means a death to our old self; Jesus carried His cross to be crucified upon it and die upon it to pay for our sins and save us fro our sins. That salvation entails us repenting and turning away from our old ways. As a Scripture explains:

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”-1 John 1:6-7

The voice of our conscience is our cross, which we must carry and follow everyday. It is not always easy to do the right thing; it is not always easy to be chaste, it is not always easy to forgive, it’s not always easy to love. And when we fall under the weight of our crosses, we must get up.

The Seven Capital Sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth) are the gateways that lead us down the wide road which leads to damnation. Thus not only must we uproot the weeds which take root in our heart, we must sow and practice the 7 virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility) that replace the weeds that were in our life. It’s a lifelong adventure— a battle against the old self, a battle to the death.

I really recommend listening to this brief talk next time you go to bed. Turn off the lights, close your eyes and listen to this talk about what God wants from us, namely a transformation of heart. Following Christ is not about following rules, but rather, about dying to self:
AUDIO

And then watch this video:

 
Akulaa said:
I don’t think this is what this verse means… I think it means preaching the Lord’s name comes with its own risks. Such as getting bullied, etc
do you agree?
Click to expand...
I would agree, the original understanding you posted is not the context at all that Mark is offering here, your second statement is much more in line with the passage. To put the verse in context, Mark has just described the parallel passage of Matthew 16 where Christ asks his disciples whom others say that he is. After entertaining the guesses of others, he asks, whom do you say that I am? Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ. Immediately after this Jesus begins to teach them about his impending arrest, death, and resurrection. Peter however, takes him aside and rebukes Jesus. Jesus responds by rebuking Peter for not having his mind set on the things of God. It is here that Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

In this context, Jesus is saying that if he, Jesus, will be killed by the earthly authorities, those who follow him will also be persecuted for their faith. He urges them to love Christ above their own lives, and follow him, if necessary, even to the cross.
 
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Start with “oh, I want to sleep in on Sunday”, deny that luxury and get out of bed and to Mass.

I really want to buy that new eyeshadow palette or video game, but, I deny myself and donate that money.

Friday comes, I want a burger. I deny myself and eat a grilled cheese.

Heck, make the sign of the cross and pray over your meal when you eat in public

ETA. If we cannot make these little sacrifices, we will not be able to stand against persecution in the big things.
 
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Here’s a full list of short audio talks worth listening to in bed At night, lights out, eyes closed, mind focused. One can listen over and over and learn something every time … link
 
Akulaa said:
What exactly is Self denial?
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Self discipline. It’s the act of repressing that urge to eat another slice of cake. Or to resist the urge to buy the sports car of your dreams and buy the van that you need to get things done around the house.
What exactly is taking up the cross?
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It means that we accept suffering along the way without cursing God and taking it out on our neighbors. Scripture says:

Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

And again:

1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Starting from June, I have this one voice in my heart that says: “Hey, stop playing video games, deny yourself and suffer in the name of Christ!” Or “stop having fun with your friends, make yourself suffer in the name of the Lord!”
Click to expand...
Listen to it.
I don’t think this is what this verse means… I think it means preaching the Lord’s name comes with its own risks. Such as getting bullied, etc
do you agree?
Click to expand...
That’s part of it. But not all of it. He gives the instruction more than once. Usually He is telling someone to live in accordance with the Commandments. Even that comes with its own risks.
 
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