Own Cross

Today’s Gospel Text: Now great multitudes accompanied him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. 33 So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-33

Reflection: Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (vs.  27)

There is the cross of Christ which we as Christians are called to participate in a greater measure than what we normally do. 

The cross of Christ was endured for our salvation, so that we may be saved from the guilt and punishment that was due to us on account of our sins.

Though we are called to participate in the cross of Christ, Christ also primarily calls us to carry our own crosses.

What are these crosses of our lives which we are called to carry and which in a way is a gateway to our salvation and completely expresses our faith and love for Christ?

He reveals to us two things about this cross in the first verse of this passage (vs. 26).

The first is primary and is on account of him. In other words the crosses in our lives will be on account of him. If we have to follow him and want to be with him then the crosses are an unavoidable part of our lives. 

So it brings us to the second point on the cross, which is giving up or detaching oneself from our many attachments beginning with father, mother, brother, sisters, wife, children, etc.,  and above all even one’s own life and its many sinful desires and pleasures.

Sometimes this cross could be the mere obsessions for a good life and health for which sake we are willing to dabble with methods and techniques which are diabolic and contrary to the gospel.

May the Lord open our eyes to know this truth of the kingdom and our hearts to his grace so as to give up the many attachments that does not glorify him.

Prayer:  God our Father, we thank you for revealing to us the wisdom behind the cross of Christ.

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