Holy Martyrs Trophimus, Theophilus and those with them (284-305). Blessed Priest-Martyr Vasyl Hopko. Miracle of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God against the Invaders (1675).
1 Corinthians 15:29-38. Matthew 21:23-27.
Not far from my desk, I keep a rubber skull. I realize this is not your typical office decor outside of the month of October. I keep it in my line of sight to be a constant reminder of verse 31 from this morning’s reading from St. Paul: “I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!”
Paul’s words remind us of the daily struggle and commitment needed to follow Christ. When he says, “I die every day,” Paul isn’t just talking about physical death. He’s referring to a spiritual dying—a continual process of dying to self, to sin, and to the old ways of living. This daily dying is essential for living a life rooted in Christ.
Brothers and sisters, suffering would be meaningless, our faith would be meaningless if we did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The only death we should fear is the death caused by sin, a total separation from God.
In our ever-busy daily lives, this concept can seem distant. We’re often caught up in the busyness of our routines, our careers, and our personal ambitions. But Paul’s call to die daily is a call to re-evaluate our priorities. It’s about putting Christ at the centre of our lives and allowing His love to transform us. This transformation is not a one-time event but a daily choice.
Imagine waking up each morning and making a conscious decision to surrender your day to God. It means letting go of grudges, forgiving others, and choosing love over hate, patience over frustration, and humility over pride. It’s about recognizing our weaknesses and inviting God’s strength to work through us.
This daily dying isn’t about losing ourselves but about finding our true selves in Christ. It’s a journey of constant renewal, where we become more like Him each day. As Paul took pride in the Corinthians’ faith, let us also find joy and pride in our spiritual growth and in the ways we can serve others.
As we reflect on Paul’s words, let’s commit ourselves to this daily process. Let’s die to our old selves and rise anew with Christ, allowing His love to shine through us in all that we do.