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 sign of judgment and suffering.
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 and carrying His cross that you would
find your life. Therefore you have to be ready to carry your cross for you to
be called a true follower of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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