Reflection
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
Psalm 1
Luke 9: 22-25
Welcome to Lent! Now get ready to see your best friend get nailed to a cross. Take heart though, He knows what He is doing. Deeply consider that today. What would it be like for you to hear your best friend say they must suffer and be strapped to an electric chair and killed at the hands of your religious or civil leaders, and you know that best friend of yours did not do anything wrong. The gruesome aftereffects of the electrocution would be clearly visible on the body of your best friend. And consider still, this best friend of yours is saying they are fine with that.
The words Jesus speaks in our gospel today must have just floored the Apostles. But wait…there’s more. Jesus tells them they must follow in His footsteps. They must be willing to suffer as He suffers. He is asking them to leave nothing out – give it all they have. They will have incredible challenges – no matter, their great faith will carry them through it.
“…take up his cross and follow me…” Sure, that sounds like fun…well…actually…not fun at all. However, we all have crosses of some type – physical, financial, social, emotional, relationships, employment, school…have to walk the dog in the rain and snow…we all got ‘em.
This Lent though, focus on taking on that cross and asking Jesus to help you carry it. That trouble in your life, that cross, may be the EXACT THING that gets you to heaven. Jesus asks us to take on our crosses and carry forth His mission with great love. I absolutely guarantee you that when you ask Jesus to help you carry your cross, you will see great love around you, and you will see how that cross will help you get to heaven. So today, what is your cross that you need to share with Jesus?
It is a wonderful day! Go smile at God today!