Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel at Mass today, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:23-25).
Jesus reminds us that to follow in his footsteps will always involve the cross.
I think we must embrace the crosses that come our way -- and they are many. To name just a few, these crosses include misunderstandings in our marriages, children who leave the practice of the faith, illnesses, addictions, unemployment – perhaps even true poverty. Somehow, in the crosses we carry, we find Christ suffering with us. He allows us to work through these crosses to find life despite the burdens that weigh down on us.
We also know that there comes a time after the cross. We call it resurrection. Jesus is always leading us through the crosses we bear to this new and abundant life. We do not stop at the Good Fridays in our life – we continue on in faith towards Easter.
Perhaps today you can put some significant cross you are carrying before the Lord in prayer and ask him to give you what you need to keep carrying it until it is lifted from you.