This mornings gospel speaks of Jesus telling his followers they must deny themselves, and "take up" their cross and follow. This gospel section has always fascinated me. What does it mean to deny one self? Is Jesus speaking about fasting? Does he want us deny our needs? Does this mean we can't have any fun in life?
I am also struck by the notion of taking up your cross...aren't crosses given to us? Here Matthew's gospel instructs us to pick it up. This is different than hoping you will not be given a cross in life to carry.
I am also struck by the notion of taking up your cross...aren't crosses given to us? Here Matthew's gospel instructs us to pick it up. This is different than hoping you will not be given a cross in life to carry.
The whole idea of the Christian life is to love. Real love expects nothing in return. I suppose when I love without expecting something in return I am denying myself. The only way to, habitually, deny myself is by picking up the cross. Eventually, when I crucify self; that part of me who will only give if he knows he is getting something in return - the self that is only interested in getting what I want, I become free to follow Christ by loving others.
I remember a brother in religious life who was always grumpy and angry. I wondered if religious life made him this way? However, after some time living with him, I started to notice he was always first to serve himself at meal time, he always had to be the one choosing the TV shows, and whenever there was a decision to be made, it always had to be his way. You would think getting his way all the time would make him happy, but instead this path lead to misery. Religious life didn't make him miserable, he made himself that way.
Christ does not call us to a life of misery. Christ calls us to a life of freedom: Free from - so that we are free for others. Today, I'll make conscience decision to pick up the cross and serve others if I want to be truly happy.
Christ does not call us to a life of misery. Christ calls us to a life of freedom: Free from - so that we are free for others. Today, I'll make conscience decision to pick up the cross and serve others if I want to be truly happy.
"Take up your cross!" ... I didn't have to take mine up, I was given them! ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I thank the Lord anyway.
This is very powerful! I often think I am like that grumpy brother you know, especially around my family. It's easy to be kind and polite to strangers, but hardest with the ones you love. Maybe that brother was just so comfortable in his surroundings that he forgot to put love first.
ReplyDeleteI know I've had some difficult crosses to carry in my life, but right now, whatever crosses come my way seem to be so small and insignificant compared to the joy I feel. I wonder if this is the way God intended life to be, that our joy would be so great, we hardly notice our crosses anymore...
Thanks for this post-it's wonderful!
My crosses have turned out to be great learning experiences. I would not want to have avoided them. As for misery -- I don't know what that is although I suppose some people assume that I should be miserable from a number of negative things that have happened to me. However, God has always helped me out, has always helped me carry the cross of the moment, and, therefore, I have been and am chronically happy. I am especially happy that God trusts me with one of His crosses.
ReplyDeleteI think crosses are sometimes choices, and not just things given to us.
ReplyDeleteYes, an illness can be a cross given to me, but I can choose whether to make use of that suffering, to offer it up and, or to give in to it or wallow in it. Or in extreme cases, to end it - and with euthanasia/assisted suicide that is a real physcial possibility. Whatever the case, there is a choice.
But there are other ways. Choosing to follow my faith and not engage in illegal or immoral activities, and consequently risk losing my job can be a cross. Or choosing to act in a Christian way and face mockery and rejection by friends and family - that can certainly be a cross.
Bearing a cross does not necessarily mean we are not also full of joy, though. Think of Francis, who took on so many crosses, who suffered so much, yet who could still sing praises to the sun!
Great wisdom! A life of selfishness actually causes misery...we know it but we don't always let it sink in.
ReplyDelete