Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Let us leave aside the fact that none of the disciples would have understood what it meant to take up the cross. Only after Jesus had actually died on the cross did it sharpen what it meant for Jesus to say that becoming his follower would not always be easy, what it means to follow the Lord, to walk in his way. Jesus’ way is the way of self-giving love. It is the way of generous service to others. It may not mean dying physically; it surely means dying to one’s self-centeredness and pride, renouncing ourselves in some way for the sake of others.

In the end, Jesus gave everything, his very life, out of love for us. In the words of today’s gospel reading, he lost his life. However, in losing his earthly life, he made eternal life available for all of us. His love, which led him to give his earthly life for us all, was life-giving for us all. Whenever we give of ourselves in love for others, we become more alive ourselves as human beings, and we bring life to others. Yet, the gospel reading assures us that such renouncing of ourselves in service of others is not something negative. Rather, it is the path to true life for us and for all whom we serve.

We are reminded of this in each Mass, when we join Jesus in his sacrificial meal and pledge ourselves, with each Amen, to the body and blood of the Lord, so that we appreciate not only what he has done for us, but also what he enables us to do for one another.

What cross is mine to take up in my life?

Let Us Pray:

O loving Lord, may I never hesitate to help others for fear of what it will cost me.