Take up your cross, and follow me

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:24-28*

*First Reading : Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7*

*Take up your cross, and follow me*

*1) Jesus is not talking about Wooden Cross*

Whenever Jesus speaks about the Cross, we immediately get the image of the Wooden Cross, which Jesus carried to the Calvary

Carrying of the Cross is really a difficult task and during Jesus' time it was an insult and humiliation to the person, because of the significance of the punishment attached to the Cross 

So no one would wish either to carry the cross or to die on the Cross

It was the last thing which a person can expect for the criminal things done 

So when Jesus speaks about this Cross it has different meaning and it goes beyond the mere wooden Cross 

*2) Other Meanings for Cross*

The concept of the cross can be seen in the following area 

*Sacrifice* is the biggest cross, which one has to carry everyday, if one wants to follow Jesus 

*Rejection* The cross of rejection is has to be carried since one is given this cross very often when one serves the Lord 

*Persecution* The cross of persecution is very much alive in our surroundings today. This cross is the integral part of Jesus mission 

*Humiliation* The Cross of humiliation comes very often to all those who follow Jesus. There is no other way than to carry it for the sake of Jesus 

*Failure* At times the Cross of failure comes like a huge waves. One has to carry this cross for the sake of Jesus 

*Uncertain Path* This cross can not be avoided by the followers of Jesus. The weight of the cross of uncertain path is heavy and it needs special strength to carry it. 

*No to bodily pleasure* This cross at times becomes heavier than any other cross. Moreover this cross has to be carried throughout our life, which makes our life at times very challenging. 

*Detachment* One has to carry this cross regularly to remain close to Jesus. The cross of  Detachment has a greater role in all our commitments in following Jesus 

*3) Wooden Cross is easy to carry*

Jesus carried the wooden cross only for few hours 

He suffered a lot while carrying this cross

Jesus also remained on this cross only for few hours. Then he was brought down from the Cross

Jesus was with the cross, once he was condemned to death till he was taken down from the Cross, after his death 

This is the story of the physical wooden cross in the life of Jesus 

*4) Lifelong Crosses*

Wooden cross, had it's role to play for few hours. 

But the above mentioned Crosses are not meant for few hours, but they are meant for entire life 

To carry the Wooden cross one needs physical strength. But to follow the cross of the Gospel value one needs strong mental courage, moral courage, conviction and discipline

Carrying the  life long crosses are more, challenging and heavier than the wooden crosses 

*5) The reward for life long Crosses*

There is a great reward for all those who carry these above crooses throughout their life 

Every cross is very important and carrying thses crosses will change the quality, goal and destiny of our life 

These crosses bring about a great reward, which no worldly things will be able to give us 

No power on earth can substitute these crosses in ones life. Every one has to to carry these crosses

Eternal life is the reward for carrying these crosses willingly, in our day today life

Am I ready to carry the cross and to follow Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*