“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Lk. 14:27).
I saw a quote awhile back – “anyone can wear one, but who can bear one” as it relates to the cross. We wear crosses as jewelry and as a symbol of our faith, but how often do we bear them as a condition of Christian discipleship?
The Gospel of Luke challenges us once again as we approach the Solemnity and Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14. It reminds us that discipleship involves sacrifice and the act of surrendering everything to Jesus. Luke’s words, particularly when he tells us to “hate our own brother, sister, mother, father, wife, and children…” can be difficult to hear. But at its core, this passage calls us to reflect on where we place our ultimate dependence—on earthly relationships or on the will of God.
As the first reading from Wisdom 9:15 reminds us, “the corruptible body burdens the soul, and the earthly tent weighs down the mind with its many concerns.” It’s easy for the demands of this earthly life and our obligations to family, friends, neighbors, work, society to weigh us down. In doing so, we can lose sight of the greater journey—the call to follow Jesus’s invitation to take up our cross. Sometimes, this means carrying not only our own burdens, but also the struggles of those we love, all in pursuit of something greater as a core part of discipleship.
As the responsorial psalm reminds us, In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.”
To truly be disciples, we must carve out moments each day to give God His due. God, and not anyone or anything in this life, is our true refuge. How deeply do you trust in this? We must not let anxiety or worry weigh us down, for we are meant for greater things—a future with a loving and merciful Father in heaven!
This week, ask yourself the following:
1. How can I more fully trust in God as my refuge, especially when life’s burdens and worries threaten to overwhelm me?
2. What steps can I take each day to set aside time to honor God and align my heart with His purpose?
3. How can I bear my daily cross in order to surrender everything to Jesus to make Him the Lord and ruler of my life?
Try praying the morning offering to acknowledge the sacrifice of discipleship:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
StreetEvangelist 