“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
Matthew 16:24
take up his cross, and follow me.”
Reflection
Jesus tells his disciples that whoever wishes to follow him must deny himself and take up his cross. Anyone who wishes to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for Jesus’ sake will find it. When the Son of Man comes with his angels, he will repay each according to his conduct.
Do you take up your cross? Do you wish to save your life or lose it? Jesus tells us that following him means denying ourselves, losing our life in some way, and taking up his own cross. This seems like an impossible task – how can we take up Christ’s cross and lose our life?
Jesus will aid us with his cross, for it is one of love. He will bear the greater burden and only give us what we can handle. We must only be willing to do so. We also need to detach ourselves from many things in order to fully follow Christ. Being attached to worldly goods hinders us from living a completely Christ-centered life. In this, too, Jesus will assist us if we ask. How is he asking you to deny some aspect of your life today for his sake?
Saint of the Day
St. Cajetan: 1480 – 1547
| “There is no road to heaven but that of innocence or penance.” St. Cajetan |
The Healing Word 