What Cross do I need to carry in order to Follow Jesus?

Gospel Thoughts

31st Week : Wednesday

GOSPEL Lk 14:15-25

First Reading - Phil 2:12-18

*What Cross  do I need to carry in order to Follow Jesus?*

*Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.*

*1) The need of carrying the Cross*

This is the first requirement in order to follow Jesus. Without Cross no one can follow Jesus.

Since the mission of Jesus is very closely connected with Cross, carrying of Cross becomes inevitable in order to follow Jesus.

Cross is the way through which one can follow Jesus. So criss cross is very necessary

*2) Carrying Cross is a difficult task*

Carrying cross is not a easy work. Its very challenging and also very difficult task. 

Unless one is convinced about why he/she has to carry cross, no one can carry the  cross easily. So conviction plays a very important role in carrying the Cross

*3) We need to carry the Following Crosses to Follow Jesus*

*A) Cross of Forgiveness*

This Cross is at the centre of Jesus' ministry. Unless one is ready to carry this cross, he/she can't follow Jesus

*B) Cross of Love* 

Jesus love always reflects from the Cross. Cross shows how much He loves us. 

This love is called unconditional or agapeic love, which needs complete self denial. 

Only the cross gives the best meaning for Love. This is the ultimate and pure form of Love. So one needs to carry the Cross of Love in order to follow Jesus. 

*C) The Cross of suffering*

No one can avoid suffering. Unless one is ready to suffer for the sake of Christ, can't become His disciple 

Only through the Cross of suffering Jesus gives a new meaning to human life and He saves the entire humankind. 

Jesus says suffering is the part of His mission. People will persecute you because you are my disciples. So the Cross of suffering can't be avoided. We need to take this cross to follow Jesus

*D) The Cross of Service*

Another important cross that a follower of Christ should carry all the time to follow Him very closely. 

Without this cross there is no meaning for Christian life. 

*E)Cross of Sharing*

Unless we share whatever we have we can't follow Jesus. Selfish attitude can't be defeated only through the cross of sharing. 

Jesus is the model for us to carry this cross

*F) The Cross of Prayer*

This is the cross for our survival. No one can survive without this Cross. 

Prayer is also difficult like carrying of the cross. But we need to carry this cross along with us all the time. 

*G) The Cross of Humility*

*H) The cross of Truth*

*I) The Cross of obedience*

*J) The Cross of Reconciliation*

*K) The cross of Fasting*

*L) The cross of Hard work*

Along with these cross there are also number of other crosses that we have to carry in our day today life in order to Follow Jesus

*4) Am I ready to carry these above Cross?*

As we know that cross plays a very important role in the life and mission of Jesus, it can't be separated from Him. 

So also since we are His followers and since we want to follow Jim very closely we need to carry these crosses in our lives everyday. 

The question is : Am I ready to Carry? 

*Reflect about it very deeply*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*