The beginning of today’s Gospel is stark.  Jesus informs His disciples that the Son of Man will undergo great suffering, be rejected by the temple officials, be killed and then be raised up on the third day.  If we had heard Jesus say that what would our reaction be? your reaction to these words?

Did His disciples realize that they also might be in danger?  After all, they were His followers and friends. 

Jesus warns the disciples that following Him will not be easy.  There will be dangers and threats.  If they do choose to follow Him, each day and every day they must take up their crosses and follow in His footsteps.  Imagine how sobering it must have been to hear Jesus utter those words.  When the disciples initially decided to follow Jesus, they were enthusiastic and eager to learn.  They did not realize that following Him might become dangerous! 

Jesus needed His disciples to realize that danger and hardship would be in their future.  He didn’t want them to assume that life as His disciples would be easy, simple, or glorious, but Jesus also told them that if they were to follow Him, they would gain the whole world.  What a powerful statement!

Jesus is telling us the same thing today that He told His disciples thousands of years ago.  We also are His disciples in this world of ours – and the dangers are real.  If we commit ourselves and follow Jesus, it won’t be an easy path at times.  There will be many gifts but there will also be many difficulties.  Jesus promises to be at our side always.  He will walk with us, strengthen us, console us, and give us His peace.  Is this enough for us?  What path will we choose?