Be a Friend of the Cross!

“Why are we too supposed to accept suffering in our lives and thus ‘take up our cross’ and thereby follow Jesus.” (YOUCAT no. 102)

In today’s reading Jesus said, “"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me...”  (Mt 16: 24-28).

There are many of us that are willing to be friends of Jesus ONLY in good times but there are very few of us that are true friends of Jesus who are willing to embrace the cross at all times, even in the bad. Of course, it is not easy to be a friend of the CROSS. 

We should not forget that our Christian lives are constant battles. We cannot escape from these realities. In faith we can accept our own suffering and also share the suffering of others. In this way human suffering becomes unites with the redeeming love of Christ and thus part of the divine power that changes the world for the better.

Lord, give me the courage to take up my cross and follow in your footsteps.