Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me!

These past days, we heard in the liturgy the readings of Dt 30: 15-20 and the gospel of Luke 9: 22-25. Speaking to the people, Moses presents two paths—one a blessing and one a curse—from which to choose. Although they are free to choose, only one allows for the gaining of eternal life. That choice is the Love of God, the God who has taken them out of slavery and has led them to the promised land. The people are very familiar, of course, with the goodness of the Lord: He has made it possible for them to cross the Red Sea, He has sent them manna, and He made the water flow when they could have died of thirst. True, the difficulty of the choice might make their faith falter and might tempt them to look for “alternatives” (such as the golden calf), but the loving of God and the keeping of His commandments are well worth the struggle.

How many times do we falter or doubt the reward? Perhaps life seems too complicated for us, with too many problems as obstacles we cannot jump over. Maybe we see no way out of our worries. Then, without realizing it, we take our eyes off the One who is the only One who supports us and helps us: God who blesses us with life even in the worst moments. Surely, the God of Love—the one who loves us and whom we must love, the source of all that is good, the conqueror of all evil—must be the path we remain on. 

When we reach those crossroads where we are faced with good versus evil, of life versus death, we must choose which path to take: that of good, that of evil, that of life or that of death, we must consider more than just the self. We must think about others because, if we choose the path of good, everyone around us will benefit. Our attitude towards life will be positive, and we will help others. That is what is at stake when deciding between letting ourselves be carried away by worldly influences or putting ourselves in the hands of God.

It is important to note that Moses is very clear in his speech to his people. Likewise, Jesus is very clear in His words, “Whoever wants to follow me must take up his cross.” Therefore, we must be very clear in our motivations and intentions, especially during this season of Lent that began Wednesday with the imposition of ashes, a rite that reminds us of our fragility. Indeed, Lent is a time of preparation, of meditation, of a review of our lives. What better time to seriously analyze and assess our lives?

For example, how deeply are we affected by social media that strives to depict a “brave new world” in which everything revolves around beauty, youth, and success?  How easily tempted are we by the excesses of popular culture: materialism, commercialism, and self-interest at all cost? What about our soul and those who surround us and suffer alone? What about eternal life or is the here-and-now our only concern? As Jesus Himself warns: What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Therefore, throughout Lent and beyond, let us keep our eyes fixed on the Cross and all that it means. For then we will be blessed, not cursed.

Fr. Jesus