In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” He warns His disciples that anyone who wishes to save his/her life will lose it.  However, anyone who is willing to lose his/her life for Jesus’ sake, will find life.

Jesus poses some probing questions to challenge us. In every decision we make in life, we are making ourselves into a certain kind of person. Are we willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus? Life typically presents us with a variety of crosses. Some of them are more difficult than others. However, it is never easy to accept a cross, whether it is illness, financial worries, family difficulties, depression, joblessness, etc. What may be helpful or detrimental to us is how we view our cross. Do we view it as a punishment from God or do we believe that crosses simply are part of our lives, just as joy and love are part of our human condition?

The reality of being human means that we will suffer, just as we will experience joy, love,

peace, and comfort. The gift is that when we are carrying a cross, Jesus is with us and he will help us to carry our cross. Jesus also will grace us with comfort, peace, and strength as we deal with our cross.

During difficult times, it may be helpful to try to look beyond our cross. We can examine our lives and ask ourselves: who and what brings me joy, love, and care? What are the gifts in my life? Even when we are carrying a very heavy cross, Jesus is with us, gifting and gracing us. We need to be awake and alert if we are to notice our gifts and graces.

Today may we focus on the good in  life. If we do this, we may realize that there is 100 times more good in our lives than what is difficult. Today may Jesus open our minds and hearts to the many gifts we are being given!