Father Becker's Reflection March 7

[ Then he said to all,

   “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself

   and take up his cross daily and follow me.”]. (Luke 9:23)

As Christians we champion the cross, yet many if not all of us are hesitant to pick our own cross up. However, Jesus specifically directs us to follow His footsteps to Calvary with our own cross hoisted on our shoulders.

There is nothing romantic about it. If you’re to follow Christ, you will die. Yes, die to yourself—your pride, your desire for comfort, your reputation, etc. One thing we can forget though is that crosses come in all shapes and sizes.

•Maybe yours is an embarrassing sin that you can’t seem to eradicate from your life. 

•Maybe yours is anxiety over paying the bills.  

•Maybe yours is difficulty with a family member or coworker.

We never choose our own cross. We choose to pick it up. Jesus never gives us more than we can handle with the help of His grace. Your cross is lying beside the road to Calvary. Jesus asks, “Will you pick up your cross and follow Me?”