Thomas Lima csc –
Readings: Deut 4:32-40; Mt 16:24-28
Today’s gospel presents before us the terms of discipleship. Jesus told his disciples “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty and shall follow him to glory. The denial stage has no designated time frame. It is a life-
long commitment. He is the one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, wherever he goes. “Let him deny himself.” If self-denial is a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practiced, to redeem us, and to teach us. “Let him take up his cross.” The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another’s cross better than our own; but that is best which appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it.
We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads but must take them up when they are in our way. Cross is the symbol of hope, sacrifice, freedom, and the true love of God. One who bears the name of Christ will have to follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. Jesus and his early disciples didn’t consider their own lives more important than giving glory to God. The victory that Jesus gained on the cross strengthens us in the moments of temptations and difficulties.