Memorial of St. Dominic, Priest
How often have we heard this verse, this line from today’s gospel reading, of Jesus instructing his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”? (Matthew 16:24) I probably couldn’t count the number of times in my life I have read or heard this, or some version of it, and still I am not sure what exactly is meant by “taking up my cross.” I mean I get the general idea, but what does it mean specifically in my life, in our lives as Christians, as followers of Christ?
Scripture scholar Gerhard Lohfink in his book All My Springs Are In You has shed some light on this verse for me that I would like to share: “That is, one may not avoid the painful decision (to take up the cross); one must choose against convenience, against habit, against the opinions of society, against the example set by the many.”
He goes on to quote Paul in his letter to the Romans as further support, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God.”(12:12)
Lohfink continues, “The cross…is the necessary consequence of a decision for Jesus’ cause. It is the compulsory consequence of choosing the truth, because the truth is unpopular.” (That certainly speaks to me today!) “...and we do not carry our cross simply by patiently accepting life’s hard blows or the little annoyances of daily life – every Stoic does that– but only when we follow Jesus.”
Importantly, Lohfink reminds us, “... that cross proves to be not only suffering, but also redemption and liberation.” And returning once more to today’s gospel passage we are further reminded of that choice for liberation, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (vs 25)
Let us pray for one another today as we discern the will of God in our life circumstances this day, this week, this month – how are we being called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus?
—Eileen Miller