By William Selvaraj, CSC –
Readings: Deut 30:15-20; Lk 9: 22-25
First reading of the day tells us that Moses would lie down with his ancestors and the people would forsake God’s command and worship other gods. God’s anger would make himself to hide in the time of trials of the people.
The gospel passage of the day invites us to follow a radical discipleship demanded by Jesus. For the first time Jesus foretells his death and resurrection: that he must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and be killed by them. This theme ‘fulfillment and rejection’ represents the whole ministry of Jesus.
Discipleship is shown here in fidelity to daily life which is daily martyrdom because of trials and temptation in daily life. To be a disciple of Christ would mean we have to allow ourselves to be guided and ruled by him and his values.
Someone one who is afraid of the cross cannot be a disciple of Jesus. One has to discern the crosses of daily life and carry them calmly like Jesus. The cross which Jesus offers to each of us may vary from person to person, but the motive of the cross is simple and the same for all.
“Take up your daily cross and follow me” invites me to make a total self denial of myself and my likes and dislikes, my preferences and priorities, my comforts and conveniences and sacrifice everything. Cross of Christ has a purpose. That purpose has some motive. That motive has some aim. That aim has to take us closer to Jesus and also bring others to Jesus. So, we as disciples have to imitate the life and values of Jesus Christ joyfully by carrying the crosses.