Gospel: Matthew
16:24-28
Jesus
said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take
up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for
one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in
exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his
Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I
say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they
see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
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Reflection:
What does
the cross signify to you? Does it signify hardship and burden? During the time
of Jesus the cross was a judgment given by the authorities to whomever they
want. It was a sign of oppression, hardship and unfair judgment.
By saying
to the disciples that they have to take-up their own cross if they desire to follow
Him. Jesus was telling them that they have to be ready to be oppressed, ready
to face hardships and ready to be unfairly judged. Many of the disciples took
this challenge of Jesus and in so doing they found the real meaning of life.
Many of
us seek the life of ease and comfort thinking that this is what life is all
about. But life of ease and comfort is not the real essence of life. Could you
find your life by living a worldly life? Could you find purpose in this world
by living the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Many rich and famous personalities
in this world committed suicide because they struggled to find the purpose of their
lives.
It is
only through following Jesus that you will find your life. Therefore you have
to carry your cross for you to be called a true follower of Jesus. Never worry
about how hard and difficult the cross that you would be carrying for Jesus. This
is for the reason that Jesus will always be there to help you carry your cross.
Would you
be willing to carry your cross for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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