Cross Bearers

Jesus said to his disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

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. 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 9:22-25)

Our Lenten journey continues with Jesus in the lead, and we follow.  Most of us follow while weighed down with crosses of all sorts such as the burden of loneliness, pain, regret, fear, and addictions.  

Jesus was bent with the weight of his cross, and he needed the assistance of Simon of Cyrene to share the weight.  Simon was his last helper who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross.  He didn’t volunteer, but we must, especially to carry the crosses of others who suffer greatly and are bent low with grief or lack of love.

This Lent we must willingly embrace Jesus and his cross. Jesus provides some strong encouragement but with an important caveat: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” It’s an offer we cannot refuse and reject thereby acting like the elders, chief priests, and scribes.   

This Lent we pray, fast, and give alms.  That’s the way we follow Jesus during these 40 days and help him carry his cross.  We are to be his cross bearers.

Deacon David Pierce