Dear Parish Family,

What does Jesus mean we have to pick up our cross and follow him? We tend to have a misconception in this world about being a Christian. We tend to think that once we accept Jesus everything in our lives will be fine. The world will be idyllic with flowers and butterflies. There will be no problems because as long as God is on our side problems will not bother us. Some people teach or have been taught that once Jesus comes into your life everything in the world is yours for the asking. Money, wellness and a host of other things will no longer be a problem. In fact, once a person accepts Jesus all of their needs will be met. In other words once we have accepted Jesus then our agendas come first. 

Christ’s teaching just turns this way of thinking upside down! When Jesus tells us we are to take up our cross, Jesus means we are to follow in his way. We are to follow his path. He was hailed as a teacher, preacher, prophet and as the Messiah. He was also ridiculed, beaten, mocked, betrayed and killed. Taking up one's cross and following Jesus means both acceptance and rejection, joy and sorrow, healing and suffering. 

The reason it means both is because while we are joyful in following the way of God, the world will reject us. The world does not believe in placing the other first. The world does not believe in sacrificing one's own time, abilities or resources to help the other. When we see someone in need we respond out of love and we don't care about the consequences. And yet, thinking about the consequences is what makes us uncomfortable. We don't want to be rejected or ridiculed. We want to be accepted by all. Yet, we know deep inside full acceptance by all is not possible. 

This way of thinking makes us uncomfortable and sounds demanding. Truthfully, it is. If we are bold enough to call ourselves Christians then we are asked by Christ to be bold enough to carry our cross. Yet, there is also great comfort. The comfort comes from knowing that our loving God goes before us. Jesus has been down this road already and prepared the way for us. No matter what happens as we carry our cross Christ is with us. Jesus is with us in our joys and laughter. Jesus is with us in the times of celebration. Jesus is also present in the times of sorrow and pain. Jesus carries us in the times of suffering. Jesus is always present with his disciples. The presence of God always with us is Jesus' promise. 
 

Fr. Tom Kunnel. C.O.