First Reading: Gen 11:1-9; Psalm: 33. R. v. 12b; Gospel: Mk 8:34-9:1

THE CROSS IS LOVE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The call to true discipleship necessitates that we carry our crosses daily and follow Christ. Ordinarily, we are always quick to thinking that this involves only persecution or suffering for the sake of Christ. But there is more to the cross than persecution. Carrying our crosses daily to follow Christ also involves doing things for the love of God and the love of one another. This in fact is the true meaning of the cross which Jesus chose to carry and die upon due to his love for us, that we may be saved and learn to make sacrifices for one another.

So, at the centre of true Christian spirituality is the life of sacrifice. If we cannot make sacrifices, we cannot carry our crosses. To love and to be charitable, we will have to sacrifice time and money. To forgive, we will have to let go of hurts and pains. And to live a righteous life, we will have to let go of our selfish desires. These too are crosses that we have to carry.

So when we see the hungry, let us remember that it’s time to carry the cross of denying ourselves certain things to attend to their needs. When we have a sick and dying parent, sibling or friend; let us also remember that choosing to take care of them is accepting the love of the cross. When we meet those shattered by the unfortunate events of life; giving them a shoulder to cry on is part of the love of the cross. Whatever we can do for the love of others that would cost us something, are also ways of carrying our crosses daily to follow Jesus.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, as we carry our crosses daily to follow you; may your love reign in our hearts. Amen.