MT 10:37-42
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me…” Nothing and no one must deter the followers of Jesus from their dedication to Him and His mission. Discipleship is an encounter with a person, Jesus. One enters into relationship with a living Savior and Friend. Discipleship also demands the carrying of one’s cross. Thus, to choose to be a disciple, one automatically embraces a destiny of suffering and persecution. These realities take many forms: alienation, rejection, physical pain, mental anguish, emotional grief, losses of many kinds, sicknesses such as coronavirus, separation from comforts and pleasures and so many more… The follower of Jesus MUST necessarily accept the cross the Lord sets out for him/her. He/She must accept the carrying of that cross in daily life. The disciple MUST put the Gospel and its values in first place.
Maybe our crosses are not as heavy nor as painful as was Christ’s cross for Him but they certainly do weigh on our shoulders. The best part is WE DO NOT BEAR OUR CROSSES ALONE. Jesus died and rose again so that we would not have to ever be alone.
Sister Diane Marie Corrado, CSFN
